WALES

A5 (North Wales)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to tackle the impact on road traffic in England of the long-term closure of the A5 in North Wales; and what information he has received about when it is likely to open again.

Peter Hain: The Welsh Assembly Government took the decision to close a short section of the A5, between Ty Nant and Dinmael, in the interests of public safety. The Assembly Government are continuing to work with local authorities, business and tourist representatives to minimise any adverse effects.
	I understand that remedial works could take around six months to complete, depending on site conditions. However, the meantime, urgent steps have been taken to provide an alternative route to alleviate pressures. As a result, the old A5 was re-opened to vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes on 16 June.

Departmental Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will keep a separate record of the amount spent annually by his Department on alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Peter Hain: No. The Wales Office records total hospitality costs, which will include any spending on alcohol.

Staff Absenteeism

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many working days were lost to his Department and its executive agencies in each year since 1997 due to staff absenteeism, expressed as the average annual number of absent days per employee; and what the estimated total cost to the Department and its agencies of absenteeism was in each year.

Peter Hain: Since 2004 the Wales Office has formed part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) for sickness monitoring purposes. Prior to 2004 it was included with those of the National Assembly for Wales.
	Figures regarding sickness absence are contained in the annual report, "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service", published by the Cabinet Office. Reports for each year since 1999 are available in the Library and on the civil service website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/occupational_ health/publications/index.asp
	The figures relating to the Wales Office are not available separately, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Pensions

Robert Wilson: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will estimate the pension liability of the Law Officers' Departments over the next 30 years.

Mike O'Brien: The pension liabilities of the Crown Prosecution Service, Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office, Serious Fraud Office and Treasury Solicitor's Department (including HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and the Attorney-General's Office) are not estimated by individual departments. Civil service pension liabilities are estimated for individual pension schemes as shown in the breakdown of liabilities per scheme given in Table 1 of the technical Note by HM Treasury, placed in the Library of the House on 2 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 388-90, following an oral Statement in Parliament by the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Payment Schemes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of compiling, printing and posting the leaflet Single Payment Scheme: Additional Cross-compliance Requirements; and whether there are plans to issue further single payment scheme publications in the current financial year.

Barry Gardiner: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has not issued a publication entitled the Single Payment Scheme: Additional Cross-compliance Requirements. RPA did publish recently a supplement of the Cross Compliance Handbook for England 2006, for which the cost of compiling, printing and posting was £85,871.00.
	There are plans to produce a 2007 version of the Cross Compliance Handbook for England, incorporating any new statutory management requirements that have to be implemented under EU Regulations and a 2007 supplement for the current Set aside Handbook and Guidance.

Rural Payments Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will ensure that those claimants whose 2005 single farm payment claims were paid after 31 March 2006 receive their 2006 single farm payments before those whose 2005 claims were paid before 31 March 2006.

Barry Gardiner: No. This would not ensure the optimal and earliest delivery of the maximum subsidy to claimants. Priorities will therefore be drawn up with the view to maximising payments as early as possible within the regulatory payment window, starting on 1 December 2006.

Timber

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he maintains a register of central Government building and refurbishment projects in relation to ensuring compliance with the Government's timber procurement policy.

Barry Gardiner: The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not hold a register of central Government building and refurbishment projects. There is an annual Sustainable Development in Government report in which Departments are encouraged to report their timber purchases as appropriate.

Wildlife and Countryside Act

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to consult on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee's proposed list of bird species to be included on schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Barry Gardiner: I will be making an announcement shortly.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Battery Recycling

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether plans are in place to introduce battery recycling facilities on the parliamentary estate.

Nick Harvey: Batteries from electrical equipment owned by the two Houses are stored for collection by a contractor for recycling. It is intended to extend this facility in due course to all used batteries on the estate and this will be publicised to Members and staff when more details are available.

Departmental Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the Chief Accounting Officer of the House.

Nick Harvey: Section 3 (2) of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978 gives the Commission power to appoint an Accounting Officer responsible for accounting for the sums paid out of money provided by Parliament for the service of the House of Commons. The current Accounting Officer is the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive of the House of Commons Service, Roger Sands, who has been in that position since January 2003. The details of his qualifications and career in the House of Commons Service are available in a number of reference books. In common with other Accounting Officers, he has undertaken the centrally provided training given to Accounting Officers on their appointment. He is assisted in the discharge of his Accounting Officer responsibilities by appropriately qualified and experienced staff in the Directorate of Financial Management.

Officers of the House (Accommodation)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what accommodation is made available to Officers of the House; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Officers of the House who are provided with residential accommodation are the Clerk of the House, the Serjeant at Arms and the Speaker's Secretary.

Security

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to the answer of 25 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1907, on security (Abingdon Street barrier), if he will place in the Library a copy of the review; what representations he has received about the review; what the cost was of undertaking the review; when he expects a final decision to be made about the arrangements at the steel barrier; what complaints the Commission has received about the waterproof equipment issued to officers working at the steel barrier in Abingdon Street; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The review consists of an ongoing process rather than a written report. Regular meetings are held involving the management of the security team and those representing both police and security officers. The purpose of these meetings is to keep under continual review all matters relating to the steel barrier, with a particular emphasis on operating guidelines and the health, safety and welfare of staff operating the system. It was through this process that the issue of improved clothing was identified, and is being provided following discussions with uniform specialists within the Metropolitan Police Service.

Security

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how often and for what length of time  (a) police officers and  (b) security officers are required to serve at the steel barrier in Abingdon Street; whether there are plans to increase these duties; what representations the Commission has received from (i) the Police Federation and (ii) others representing police officers and security officers on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: I understand that the overall hours worked at the Corus barriers by police and security officers are in line with other posts where there is limited protection from the elements. It is not the practice to give rostering details of security staff. These working arrangements continue to be discussed between the security team management and those representing both police and security officers. The Commission has not received any representations from either the Police Federation or others on this matter. Recognising the nature of these duties, the parliamentary authorities have been very supportive of reducing the operating hours of the scheme where possible; for example, during each parliamentary recess.

Security

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many  (a) police officers and  (b) security officers were on (i) short-term and (ii) long-term sick leave after a period of service at the steel barrier in Abingdon Street in each week since October 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: I understand that a total of two police officers and one security officer have reported sick following alleged incidents while operating the Corus barriers which began in October 2005. The total number of days lost to sickness is 157. All these incidents occurred within the first three months of operation of this scheme. Regular risk assessments and health and safety advice from both the House authorities and the Metropolitan Police Service have resulted in the introduction of additional safety measures which appear to be working effectively.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the Chief Accounting Officer of the Electoral Commission.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission does not have a "Chief Accounting Officer". The Electoral Commission's Accounting Officer, who is designated by the Speaker's Committee in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, is Peter Wardle, the Commission's chief executive. Mr. Wardle has a Bachelor of Arts degree. Before becoming chief executive of the Electoral Commission in December 2004 he had been a senior civil servant for 10 years, including periods as Principal Finance Officer at the Cabinet Office and Director of Strategy and Planning at the Inland Revenue.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Rwanda

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response his Department has made to requests for support for the witness protection programme in Rwanda.

Hilary Benn: Rwanda's Prosecutor General is seeking support to establish within the national Public Prosecution Service a protection service for victims and witnesses of crime, including genocide survivors who may be at risk of harassment and intimidation. The Director of the Survivors' Fund UK, a British NGO, has also discussed with me the need for witness protection in Rwanda. The Public Prosecution Service has an important role to play in ensuring that the rights of Rwanda's citizens are protected and that they have access to justice.
	DFID's office in Rwanda has been in discussion with the Prosecutor General and is currently assessing how best to support the national victim protection service. The United Nations Development Programme is already providing modest support for this and it will be important to ensure that any DFID funding complements and does not duplicate existing funding. On this point, the DFID office is currently taking forward discussions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). DFID's response will depend upon the outcome of these discussions.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Business Review

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether UK companies would be obliged to report on  (a) relationships with suppliers in Zimbabwe and  (b) their own operations in Zimbabwe under the provisions of the proposed Business Review contained within the Company Law Reform Bill.

Margaret Hodge: Under clause 399 of the Company Law Reform Bill, all companies, apart from small companies, will continue to be required to produce a Business Review, in accordance with the EU Accounts Modernisation Directive. Information on the company's relationships with suppliers and on their operations wherever located must be included in the Review to the extent necessary to provide a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the company's business consistent with the size and complexity of the business.

Business Review

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the Business Review provided for in the Company Law Reform Bill will oblige UK companies to report on their operations in states which the UK Government consider to be perpetrating abuse of human rights.

Margaret Hodge: Under clause 399 of the Company Law Reform Bill, all companies, apart from small companies, will continue to be required to produce a Business Review, in accordance with the EU Accounts Modernisation Directive. Information on the company's operations wherever located must be included in the Review to the extent necessary to provide a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the company's business consistent with the size and complexity of the business.

Company Law Reform Bill

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the likely monetary effects on British business following amendment of the Company Law Reform Bill in the House of Lords.

Margaret Hodge: The Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Company Law Reform Bill was updated after the Bill was brought from the House of Lords (24 May 2006) to reflect the amendments that had been made to the Bill since introduction. The Bill is expected to bring savings for business of some £250 million a year, of which £100 million will be for small businesses. As well as the direct savings, the Bill is also expected to lead to indirect benefits, through improved performance, for example through encouraging good practice in company decision-making.
	The direct costs associated with the Bill are expected to be in the range of £8 million to £47 million. The majority of these costs (£6 million to £36 million) are associated with opposition amendments to the "Exercise of Members' Rights" provisions made in the House of Lords. The Government intend to reconsider these during the consideration of The Bill in the House of Commons.

Departmental Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the Chief Accounting Officer of his Department.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Departmental Accounting Officer, and Permanent Secretary, is Sir Brian Bender. His academic qualifications are a BSc and PhD in Physics. He has no professional accountancy qualifications. He has been a Permanent Secretary and Departmental Accounting Officer since 1999, in four Departments: the Cabinet Office (1999-2000), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2000-01), Defra (2001-05) and DTI since October 2005.
	The Accounting Officer is a role that the Permanent Secretary combines with his personal responsibility for the overall organisation, management and staffing of the Department and for department-wide procedures in financial and other matters. The Accounting Officer is assisted in the discharge of these duties by the Director General of Finance and Strategy.
	The current Director General of Finance and Strategy is Mark Clarke. He has an MA from Oxford University in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1979 with Arthur Andersen and Co., and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA). Since 2000 he has held Finance Director roles within Barclays, Abbey and Bank of Ireland, where he was UK Finance Director. From 1995 to 2000 he was a Director in the management consultancy practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, specialising in financial management, performance management and business effectiveness. He joined DTI in June 2006.

Energy Bills

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what the Department's projections are for  (a) commercial,  (b) retail,  (c) household and  (d) manufacturing energy bills in January (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) 2009, (iv) 2010 and (v) 2015; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the Department's projections are for average commercial  (a) gas and  (b) electricity prices in January (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) 2009, (iv) 2010 and (v) 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The DTI does not project energy bills or prices for the commercial, retail, household or manufacturing sectors.
	The DTI does make a range of assumptions regarding the likely path of future fossil fuel prices (oil, coal and gas) when undertaking forward-looking analysis and these are illustrated in the recent paper on UK Emissions projections. This is available at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/environment/projections/recent/page26391.html.

Energy Provision

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public subsidy was given to the  (a) nuclear,  (b) oil,  (c) gas,  (d) coal and  (e) renewables generating industries in each of the past 30 years.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is as follows:
	 Nuclear
	Available figures for nuclear subsidies are given in the following table. Figures are based on the premium received by Nuclear Electric plc over and above the market price for electricity in the period 1990-96. Figures dating back to 1974 could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   £ million 
			 1990-91 1,265 
			 1991-92 798 
			 1992-93 864 
			 1993-94 895 
			 1994-95 892 
			 1995-96 699 
			 1996-97 0 
			 1997-98 0 
			 1998-99 0 
			 1999-2000 0 
			 2000-01 0 
			 2001-02 0 
			 2002-03 0 
		
	
	With the exception of British Energy, there have been no public subsidies to the nuclear generating sector since privatisation. In terms of British Energy, a loan facility was provided to the company in 2002 to support it through its restructuring. This loan was re-paid in full with interest in December 2003 and no further drawings can be made. As a result of the restructuring which completed in January 2005, the Government have taken direct financial responsibility for BE's historic spent fuel liabilities. The following payments have been made since restructuring to meet those historic spent fuel liabilities:
	2004-05—£185 million;
	2005-06—£189 million.
	The Government are also underwriting British Energy's decommissioning fund to the extent that its liabilities outweigh its assets. In return, the company is making enhanced payments into the fund. On current valuations, the assets of the fund exceed the liabilities.
	 Oil and gas
	I am not aware of any subsidies to the oil and gas generating industries over the last 10 years. Further, historic, information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	 Coal
	I am not aware of any subsidies to the coal generating industries over the last 10 years. Further, historic, information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	 Renewables
	Information on how much was spent by Government on renewable energy research, development, dissemination and demonstration, between 1989 and 1997, was published by my hon. Friend, the then Energy Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker), on 24 March 2000,  Official Report, column 715W.
	The statistics indicate that investment in renewable energy remained broadly unchanged between 1989 and 1996 at under £26 million a year. This compares to Government spending of around £500 million in renewables and other low carbon technologies between 2002 and 2008. The Chancellor also recently announced in the Budget a further £50 million, on top of the £30 million that I had previously announced, for the Low Carbon Building Programme, which supports micro-generation and energy efficiency measures.
	Further, historic, information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Interconnector

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much electricity has been inputted through the inter-connector with France in each of the last five years; and what percentage of total UK electricity supply electricity so inputted represents.

Malcolm Wicks: The available information is as follows:
	
		
			   Electricity exported from the UK via the interconnector with France (GWh)  Electricity exported from the UK to France as a percentage of UK electricity production  Electricity imported into the UK via the interconnector with France (GWh)  Electricity imported into the UK from France as a percentage of UK electricity supply 
			 2001 193 0.1 10,563 2.7 
			 2002 621 0.2 9,042 2.3 
			 2003 2,873 0.8 5,000 1.2 
			 2004 728 0.2 10,027 2.5 
			 2005 765 0.2 11,159 2.7

Wylfa Nuclear Power Station

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Department will announce whether the life of Wylfa nuclear power station will be extended beyond its planned closure date of 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has responsibility for the decommissioning and clean up of the UK's historic nuclear legacy including that of the Magnox nuclear power station at Wylfa. The NDA's current expectation as set out in its approved Strategy is that Wylfa will close at the end of 2010. However, my Department has asked that the NDA consider the options for running Wylfa beyond that date. The NDA is producing a report on the options which it will in due course publish.

DEFENCE

Aircraft Carriers

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the date when a firm order will be placed for each of the future aircraft carriers.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 14 June 2006
	The future aircraft carrier (CVF) programme is in its demonstration phase. This will develop and deliver a mature design; provide a more detailed cost definition; further reduce risk within the programme; and produce a contractual framework that will allow a decision to be made to commit to manufacture. Only when we are satisfied that all this work is sufficiently mature will the main investment decision be taken and orders placed.

Debt Collectors

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether  (a) his Department and  (b) its (i) executive agencies and (ii) non-departmental public bodies use the services of private debt collectors.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Bills Agency, which carries out accounts payable and receivable functions for the Ministry of Defence and its executive agencies, does not use the services of private debt collectors in its debt collection process. Although the Department sponsors six executive NDPBs, these are all independent charities and it is therefore a matter solely for these bodies as to whether or not they use the services of private debt collectors.

Departmental Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the chief accounting officer of his Department.

Tom Watson: The Principal Accounting Officer of the Ministry of Defence is the Permanent Secretary, Bill Jeffrey. His degree is in Mathematics (BSc (Hons)) and he has experience at senior levels in several Government Departments, including in posts with substantial financial responsibilities.
	Accounting Officer is a role that the Permanent Secretary combines with his personal responsibility for the overall organisation, management and staffing of the department and for department-wide procedures in financial and other matters. The Accounting Officer is assisted in the discharge of these duties by suitably qualified and experienced senior managers.

Foreign Travel

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on foreign travel by his Department in each of the last eight years.

Tom Watson: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Since 1999, the Government have published, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. This information is available in the Library. Information for the financial year 2004-05 was published on 21 July 2005,  Official Report, column 158WS. Information for the financial year 2005-06 is in the process of being collated and will be published shortly.
	All travel is conducted in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Management Code and Joint Service Publication (JSP) 800.

Indonesia (Training Courses)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to provide  (a) training courses to military personnel from Indonesia and  (b) other forms of military and security co-operation to that country; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Following the Prime Minister's visit to Indonesia in March 2006, a joint statement was issued with the President of Indonesia on our bilateral relations in the round. This welcomed
	"the launch of a new modern defence and security relationship to address contemporary challenges, from co-operation on counter-terrorism and maritime security to UK support for Indonesia's security sector reform process".
	Consequently, and in consultation with other Government Departments, the MOD has offered training courses to Indonesian military personnel in the following subjects during the current financial year.
	Peace Support Operations.
	Managing Defence in a Diplomacy.
	Various subjects at the Royal College of Defence Studies.
	Jungle Patrolling.
	Maritime Exclusive Economic Zone management.
	Other forms of military and security co-operation undertaken this financial year include a programme of two-way senior officer visits, support to the development of Indonesia's Security Sector Strategy, and a visit by HMS Westminster to Jakarta.

Iraq

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he was first informed that 'wetting' was official policy for dealing with looters in Basra; who authorised this policy; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The practice of 'wetting' is not, and has never been, official policy for dealing with looters in Basra.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of overnight accommodation for Ministers of State in his Department on foreign visits in each of the last three years.

Tom Watson: Under the terms of the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, departments are expected to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. This information, which is available from the Library of the House, includes accommodation costs. The actual cost for overnight accommodation for each of the Defence Ministers while on foreign visits in each of the last three years could be calculated only at disproportionate cost. When the Defence Ministers are overseas, including when visiting the armed forces, they frequently stay in an official residence or as a guest of the Commanding Officer of the military establishment. In such instances no accommodation costs are incurred.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions Ministers of State in his Department stayed overnight in  (a) five star,  (b) four star and  (c) three star hotels on foreign visits in each of the last three years.

Tom Watson: No information is held regarding the star rating of the hotels used by Defence Ministers. The choice of hotel is determined by best value for money based on advice from the British Embassy in the country being visited. Under the terms of the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, departments are expected to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. This information is available from the Library of the House.

Private Office Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his private office staff is  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled.

Tom Watson: The ratio of staff in the private office of the Secretary of State for Defence is 45 per cent. male and 55 per cent. female. The overall ratio for the private offices of the other Defence Ministers is 66 per cent. male and 33 per cent. female. These figures exclude special advisers.
	The percentage of disabled staff in the private offices is not available as a declaration of disability in Ministry of Defence by an individual is on a solely voluntary basis and made in confidence.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on security patrolling of the roads around RAF Menwith Hill by the Ministry of Defence Police Agency in each year since 2003.

Adam Ingram: The approximate totals spent by the US authorities on security patrolling of the roads around RAF Menwith Hill by the Ministry of Defence Police are set out in the table on a year by year basis:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2003-04 531,000.00 
			 2004-05 560,000.00 
			 2005-06 608,000.00

Service Allowances

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria must be met for members of the armed forces to be able to claim longer separated service allowance.

Tom Watson: holding answer 15 June 2006
	Regular service personnel in the Royal Navy (RN) and Army are able to claim longer separated service allowance (LSSA) as follows:
	when they have been in receipt of full-time regular pay for 12 months or more;
	when, if serving accompanied at their permanent duty station, they are away from their spouse or registered civil partner. (This does not apply if both are serving personnel; in this instance both are eligible to claim LSSA when they are serving apart from each other);
	when they spend periods of 10 consecutive days or more away from their permanent duty station on temporary duty, operations or exercises, and
	when they are posted unaccompanied to a designated LSSA payment area. Designated areas include the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island and Diego Garcia. MOD can also include areas in support of United Nations or national operations as required.
	Regular service personnel in the Royal Air Force (RAF) are no longer able to claim LSSA; since the roll-out of joint personnel administration (JPA) to the RAF, they are eligible instead for longer separation allowance (LSA).
	Full-time reserve service and volunteer reserve service personnel of all three services, non-regular permanent staff and additional duties commitments personnel are eligible to claim LSSA once they have either received a second year bounty or completed 12 months full-time service, provided they meet the remaining eligibility criteria as set out above. (Full-time service usually results either from previous regular service or from mobilisation).
	In addition, RAF volunteer reserve personnel are entitled to claim LSSA for attendance at their annual two-week camp, provided they meet all other qualifying criteria. As part of the harmonisation of allowances across the services, this entitlement will be removed when RAF reservists transfer onto JPA (currently scheduled for 1 April 2007) and become eligible for LSA.

TRANSPORT

Boatmaster's Licence

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the likely impact on  (a) volunteers and  (b) the general public's use of small boats of the operation of the boatmaster's certificate scheme.

Stephen Ladyman: The regulatory impact assessment for the new boatmaster's licence regulations is available in the Libraries of both Houses. In the regulation of public safety there is no distinction made between the requirements for commercial passenger operators and those in the voluntary sector.
	There is no impact on the general public's use of small boats, as the regulations do not apply to pleasure vessels.

Boatmaster's Licence

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which individuals and organisations are on the Steering Group overseeing the introduction of the revised boatmaster's licence.

Stephen Ladyman: The members of the Freight Standards Steering Group are:
	
		
			  Name  Representing  Organisation 
			 Ian White Association of Inland Navigation Authorities British Waterways 
			 Capt. Heather Chaplin Association of Inland Shipping Operators (North) — 
			 Allan Graveson National Union of Marine, Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers NUMAST 
			 Captain Julian Parkes UK Major Ports Group/British Ports Association PLA 
			 David Lapthorn Chamber of Shipping Lapthorn Shipping 
			 Peter Hugman Commercial Boat Operators Association Barge Consult 
			 Jan Burgess British Tugowners Association Serco Denholm 
			 Richard Crease Transport and General Workers Union TGWU 
			 Paul Baker National Union of Rail and Marine Transport Workers RMT 
			 Roger Spence (Chairman) Maritime and Coastguard Agency — 
			 Julie Carlton Maritime and Coastguard Agency — 
			 Alex Steele Maritime and Coastguard Agency—Survey Policy — 
			 Richard Bone Maritime and Coastguard Agency—Secretary — 
			
			  Correspondence only   
			 Steve Yandell RMT — 
			 Steve Turner Transport and General Workers Union TGWU 
		
	
	The members of the Domestic Passenger Ship Steering Group are:
	
		
			  Name  Representing 
			 Keith French Passenger Boat Association 
			 Mark Rayment South Coast Passenger Vessel Operators Association 
			 Paul Holman Chamber of Shipping 
			 D Mann River Association of Freight Transport 
			 Bill Frampton Wightlink 
			 John Woodburn Windermere Lake Cruises 
			 David Polson Shetland Island Council 
			 Mrs. J Bradley Tenby Harbour Users Association 
			 David Bell British Waterways 
			 Rod Mitchie Highland Marine Transport Association 
			 Hamish Munroe Central Scotland Passenger Vessel Association 
			 Iain Moore Loch Lomond Association 
			 Tim Deaton Passenger Boat Association 
			 Jeremy Phillips St. Mary's Boatman's Association 
			 Capt. S Gunn Orkney Ferries 
			 Ken Oliver Association of Passenger Craft Operators 
			 Nigel Saw British Marine Federation 
			 John Sweeney Loch Lomond Boat Operators 
			 K Dunstan The Bristol Packet 
			 Peter Tambling Heritage Afloat 
			 Dennis Armstrong Caledonian MacBrayne 
			 Mat Spencer Red Funnel (Ferries) 
		
	
	The Boatmaster's licence has been developed in consultation with the above groups, and a working group involving many of the same organisations, as well as training establishments and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen.

Concessionary Travel Scheme

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the initial recipients will be of the additional funding for the new national concessionary travel scheme announced by the Chancellor in March.

Gillian Merron: No decisions have been taken yet on how the national scheme will be delivered in 2008. The Department for Transport will be working with representatives from the bus industry, local government and other interested parties to consider the best framework for delivering the improved concessionary fares entitlement.

Concessionary Travel Scheme

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many appeals have been lodged with him by bus operators against concessionary travel schemes introduced in 2006; which concessionary travel authorities' schemes have been appealed against; and when he will  (a) consider and  (b) decide each appeal.

Gillian Merron: 60 appeals have been lodged with the Secretary of State against the following concessionary travel schemes introduced on 1 April 2006:
	Bedfordshire County Council
	Bristol City Council (on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset)
	Cherwell District Council
	City of York Council
	Devon County Council
	Dorset County Council
	East Sussex County Council
	Essex County Council
	Gloucestershire County Council
	Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive
	Hampshire County Council
	Harrogate Borough Council
	Kent County Council
	Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive
	Norfolk County Council
	Redditch Borough Council
	South Oxfordshire District Council
	South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
	Suffolk County Council
	Warwickshire County Council
	West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive
	West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
	Wiltshire County Council
	The legislation does not specify any time limit for reaching a decision on appeals. The Secretary of State will consider and determine the appeals within a reasonable timeframe.

M25

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps will be taken to alleviate congestion and inconvenience to road users between junctions 27 and 30 of the M25 when the planned expansion and widening begins.

Stephen Ladyman: Road users of the M25 between junctions 27 and 30 already experience congestion and delays, especially during peak times. The objectives of the widening are to improve journey time reliability and provide drivers with smoother, less stressful and safer journeys.
	During normal daytime operations the traffic will have, at least, the existing number of lanes in both directions. At most locations this will be three lanes in both directions. To allow safe construction at difficult locations the number of lanes may be reduced for limited periods at night and at weekends.
	During construction, lane widths will be narrower and the hard shoulder will be used as a running lane. The use of a lower speed limit will help traffic flow smoothly through the roadworks area. A breakdown service, free to the road user, will be provided and CCTV cameras will monitor traffic to enable rapid clearance of any breakdowns.
	Works will be placed on hold during the period for the Olympics.

M25

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the expansion and widening of junction 25 of the M25 to be complete.

Stephen Ladyman: The scheduled completion date of the M25 junction 25 eastbound improvement and Holmesdale tunnel refurbishment is November 2007.

M25

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects completion of the M25 Holmesdale Tunnel refurbishment; and how much the project will cost.

Stephen Ladyman: The scheduled completion date of the M25 Holmesdale Tunnel refurbishment is November 2007. The approved budget of the scheme is £75.1 million.

M25

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the planned dates are for the expansion and widening of the M25 between junctions  (a) 5 and 7,  (b) 1b and 3,  (c) 23 and 27 and  (d) 27 and 30.

Stephen Ladyman: The widening of three of the sections, that is  (a) junctions 5 to 7,  (c) junctions 23-27 and  (d) junctions 27-30, will be delivered within a Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract, which also includes widening of the M25 between junctions 16 and 23. The widening of these sections will be phased over approximately 10 years, scheduled to commence in 2008. The phasing of the works is to be determined with the successful bidder. From the work we have done so far we believe the section between junctions 16 and 23 will be the first to be widened.
	The widening of the section between junctions 1b and 3 is being delivered through the same early contractor involvement contract that is delivering the adjacent A2/A282 improvement. The widening of M25 junctions 1b and 3 will start in 2007, subject to completion of any statutory processes and availability of funding and take about 18 months to complete.

Weymouth Relief Road

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role the South West regional assembly will play in determining the priority given to building the Weymouth relief road.

Stephen Ladyman: The South West regional assembly was one of the principal organisations which contributed to the advice provided by the south west region in January 2006 on the priority that it attaches to major transport schemes in the south west including the Weymouth relief road. The advice included proposals for the delivery timescales for transport schemes within the indicative regional funding allocation for the south west. We are currently considering this advice and hope to announce our response to it before the summer recess.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total UK expenditure on capacity-building of the Afghan Government, including strengthening democratic institutions, was in each year since 2002.

Kim Howells: The total UK expenditure on capacity building of the Afghan Government, including strengthening democratic institutions, since 2002 can be broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 2002-03 26 
			 2003-04 100 
			 2004-05 108 
			 2005-06 71

Afghanistan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her US counterparts regarding proposals to start poppy eradication with crop-spraying planes in Afghanistan; and what the Government's policy is regarding this issue.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with her US counterparts regarding proposals to crop-spray in Afghanistan. The Government of Afghanistan's eradication policy, as set out in the National Drug Control Strategy, is based on ground based eradication targeted where there is access to legal rural livelihoods. The UK has no plans to undertake or support aerial eradication.
	Eradication on its own will not solve the drugs problem in Afghanistan. It is a useful deterrent where there is access to legal livelihoods. But tackling the drugs trade requires a range of activities including arresting and convicting the traffickers who profit from the trade, and putting in place the development programmes which enable farmers to move away from growing poppy. That is why the UK is spending £270 million over a three-year period on supporting the Government of Afghanistan's National Drug Control Strategy.

Afghanistan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the most recent assessment is of progress in encouraging farmers in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan to grow alternative crops; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Department for International Development (DFID) has a number of programmes which seek to provide economic alternatives to farmers who grow poppy in Helmand Province. When in Afghanistan last week, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development announced a UK contribution of £30 million over the next three years in Helmand. However, whether farmers choose to pursue alternative livelihoods to poppy in Helmand also depends on effective law enforcement and a credible threat of eradication. That is why the UK is supporting the multifaceted approach set out in the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy. We believe that the focus on the four key priorities—targeting the trafficker, strengthening livelihoods, reducing demand and developing effective institutions will together have a greater impact on the drug trade.
	In terms of measuring the impact of the Government of Afghanistan's National Drug Control Strategy in changing farmers' behaviour, Afghanistan has a poorly developed data collection and management system. DFID is working closely with the Central Statistics Office of the Government of Afghanistan to put in place mechanisms to ensure we are able to do this. These efforts should start to bear fruit over the next few months. This will allow us to make more robust assessments about the progress we are seeing in changing the behaviour of those farmers that currently grow poppy.

Afghanistan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has made to her Afghan counterpart concerning reports that the Afghan Government have started remobilising militia groups to fight the Taliban; what her assessment is of those reports; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary raised the issue of armed militias during his call on President Karzai on 13 June 2006. He received assurances from President Karzai that the Afghan Government did not intend to remobilise militias. President Karzai explained the Afghan Government's plans to establish community police units under the control of the Ministry of Interior to help deliver stability in some rural areas. Our ambassador in Kabul regularly discusses security matters with the Afghan Government and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
	We recognise there is a need to increase the capacity and effectiveness of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, and the UK and the international community are playing an active role in supporting the establishment of effective Afghan security forces.

Afghanistan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total UK expenditure on Afghan  (a) police equipment and  (b) salary payments has been since January 2006.

Kim Howells: The UK does not make direct salary payments to the Afghan National Police (ANP). However, the UK contributes to the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) which supports salaries and the purchase of equipment for the Counter-Narcotics Police of Afghanistan. The UK's total contribution to LOTFA last financial year 2005-06 was £1.5 million. There has been no UK expenditure on equipment for the ANP since January 2006.

Burma

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have supplied military equipment to Burma in each of the last three years.

Kim Howells: Comprehensive information on international exports of military equipment to Burma is not available. There is currently no international mechanism that provides the fully comprehensive data required for a full assessment. However, the UN Register of Conventional Arms does provide information covering those countries who have submitted returns. Further information is available on the UN website at:
	http://disarmament.un.org/cab/register.html
	The EU maintains an arms embargo against Burma and a ban on the supply of equipment that might be used for internal repression.

Guantanamo Bay

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information the Government have sought from the United States Administration in respect of the  (a) cause and  (b) circumstances of the deaths of three detainees held at the Guantánamo Bay military detention centre; and what information has been provided.

Kim Howells: The United States Government have told us, as they have also announced publicly, that they will conduct an investigation into the deaths of the three detainees. We welcome that decision and look forward to hearing the results of the investigation.

Iraq

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK's role is in the demobilisation of militia groups in Iraq; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The new Iraqi Government are currently considering their approach to the demobilisation of militia groups. We are ready to help with this effort and hope that other members of the international community will do likewise.

Iraq

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK's role is in increasing Iraqi capacity to house the detainee and prisoner population.

Kim Howells: The UK has deployed in Iraq a team of HM Prison Service officers who work with the UK military and international donors to assist and advise the Iraqi Correctional Service (ICS) in southern Iraq. Since 2003, the team has helped the ICS to increase capacity significantly by building new prisons and refurbishing and extending existing ones, including providing separate facilities for women and juveniles.

Iraq

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK is providing to the new Iraqi Government in the Constitution Review process.

Kim Howells: The Iraqi Government will lead this process with support from the UN. We are in contact with them and stand ready to assist. We hope others in the international community will also stand ready to help through the UN as and when required.

Israel

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters in respect of  (a) Israel's possession of nuclear weapons and  (b) the prospects for Israel joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty were raised during her meeting with her Israeli counterpart on 12 June.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not discuss the prospects for Israel signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty (NPT), or Israel's possession of nuclear weapons, during her meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni.
	We have on a number of occasions called on Israel to accede to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state and also to the Chemical Weapons Convention, and will continue to do so.

Michael Shields

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she has taken to assist the transfer of Michael Shields from Bulgaria to the UK to serve his sentence of imprisonment; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We fully support Mr. Shields' request to be transferred back to the UK and have advised Mr. Shields and his family on the procedures involved. Officials from our embassy in Sofia have discussed Mr. Shields' transfer with the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice, most recently on 9 June, and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Consular staff are also in contact with the Prisoner Transfer Section of the Home Office to facilitate Mr. Shields' return.

Pakistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make representations to the Pakistan authorities on the abduction of Christian children from their villages in the Punjab, Pakistan, by the militant Islamic group Jumait-ud-Daawa.

Kim Howells: We are aware of the report in the Sunday Times of 21 May 2006 that Jamaat-ud-Daawa are involved in the abduction of Pakistani Christian children. Our high commission in Islamabad is currently looking into this. We have not so far raised the question with the Pakistani authorities.

Venezuala

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what level UK/Venezuela counter-narcotics co-operation is undertaken; and what recent assessment she has made of its effectiveness.

Kim Howells: The UK co-operates closely with the Venezuelan authorities and law enforcement agencies at all levels as well as with other international partners to combat drug trafficking and strengthen institutions in the fight against illicit drugs and international organised crime. I hope to travel to Venezuela later this year. UK support for Venezuelan anti-narcotics operations has recently led to several seizures of illicit drugs and associated arrests.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Best Value Performance Indicators

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Audit Commission has amended its methodology for assessing Best Value Performance Indicator 199 in the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: The Audit Commission has not amended its methodology for assessing Best Value Performance Indicator 199 in the last 12 months.

Building Regulations

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many private sector providers of building regulation enforcement have been debarred from that role for poor performance in the last five years.

Angela Smith: The Construction Industry Council (CIC) acts as the Department for Communities and Local Government "Designated Agent" for the purpose of examining, approving and maintaining standards for approved inspectors. No approved inspectors have been removed from the CIC's register for poor performance in the last five years.

Building Regulations

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment has been made of the performance of  (a) public and  (b) private providers of building regulation enforcement in enforcing energy conservation measures.

Yvette Cooper: The primary responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations, including those dealing with energy efficiency, rests with those carrying out the building work. The Department for Communities and Local Government has made no formal assessment of the effectiveness of building control in this respect. However, operational and performance issues are discussed with representatives of building control bodies and are the subject of advice from the statutory advisory committee. My officials have played a key role in supporting an industry initiative to develop building control performance indicators and revised performance standards, due to be launched soon. In the context of a strategic review of the regulations, we will be exploring the options for improving compliance.

Building Regulations

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints she has received about the operation of Part P of the Building Regulations since it was reformed; which organisations have written to her opposing those changes; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Part P was reformed by way of an amendment to the Building Regulations (SI 2006 No. 652) on 6 April 2006. During April and May, the Department for Communities and Local Government received around 200 inquiries about Part P. The majority asked for further information or clarification, while around 10 per cent. were general complaints. The Department is aware of only one letter from an individual complaining specifically about the amendment, and a letter in February from the Electrical Safety council opposing the proposed changes.

Building Regulations

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what prosecutions have taken place for non-compliance with sustainable building regulations.

Angela Smith: As building control is a fully devolved service under the Building Act 1984, no central records are kept of prosecutions arising from non-compliance of any building regulation.

Canvey Island

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects to announce her decision on the establishment of a parish council for Canvey Island.

Phil Woolas: It is expected that a decision on the establishment of a new parish and parish council for Canvey Island will be announced shortly.

City Region Meetings

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has for her Department to organise further city region meetings.

Phil Woolas: As part of the Government's work on cities and towns, last year Ministers held summits with each of the eight core cities: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. This year, Ministers have held summits with smaller cities and towns: with Regional Cities East on 10 March; with Central Lancashire on 15 May; with Coastal Towns on 16 May; and with Tees Valley and Hull and the Humber on 22 May. We plan to hold two further summits this year, one with towns and cities in the South-West and the second with towns and cities in the Midlands and South-East (the "Growing Places" summit). We also plan to hold two mini-summits, in Stoke-on-Trent and in York. The dates of these four events have not been finalised.
	Following the summits of last autumn, the eight core cities were asked to develop business cases for their areas, setting out their vision and related barriers and enablers. Birmingham and Manchester have presented these to Ministers and further presentations for the remaining six cities are planned or expected during this and the next few months.
	The Secretary of State will also be attending the Core Cities annual summit, in Bristol on 26-27 June.

Civil Servants (Expenses)

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria must be met for civil servants in her Department to claim back or have paid for them overnight accommodation in London; and what criteria applied to civil servants in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Angela Smith: Staff who work in the Department for Communities and Local Government may claim overnight subsistence if they stay away from home overnight on official business away from their normal workplace. Subsistence covers a period of 24 hours to meet the actual receipted costs of meals and accommodation. There are different indicative ceilings for night subsistence in London and elsewhere. Current indicative rates for London are £95 per night. The same criteria applied to staff working in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Construction Industry Council

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what responsibility she has for the Construction Industry Council; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: I have no direct responsibility for the Construction Industry Council (CIC) although the Department for Communities and Local Government use them as agents to help us appoint private sector approved inspectors for building control. CIC is an independent representative forum for the professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business associations in the construction industry.

Departmental Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the Chief Accounting Officer of her Department.

Angela Smith: My Department's Permanent Secretary, Peter Housden, is the Principal Accounting Officer.
	The Accounting Officer is a role that the Permanent Secretary combines with his/her personal responsibility for the overall organisation, management and staffing of the Department and for Department-wide procedures in financial and other matters. The Accounting Officer is assisted in the discharge of these duties by suitably qualified experienced senior managers.
	The Department is currently in the process of recruiting an experienced Director of Finance with a recognised accountancy qualification in line with Treasury Guidelines.
	The Department's accounting teams are led by a qualified accountant.

Fire Service

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to encourage more  (a) women and  (b) ethnic minority candidates to apply to join the Fire Service; what questions are asked of applicants to assess commitment to equality and diversity; what measures she has put in place to ensure more (i) women and (ii) ethnic minority staff have access to senior positions; what targets have been set for representative numbers of women and ethnic minorities within the whole service; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The Fire and Rescue National Framework set out the Government's commitment to achieve greater diversity within the fire and rescue service. We are supporting the service to build a more diverse work force, including women, ethnic minorities and other under-represented groups.
	On 16 May I announced the launch of a national awareness raising advertising campaign aimed specifically at women to encourage them to consider a career as a firefighter. We have developed national firefighter selection tests with the aim of ensuring fairness and consistency in selection procedures across the service. The new process will require all applicants to be asked to demonstrate their commitment to equality and diversity in their responses to questions at the application form, written test and interview stages. These are designed to identify that they understand and respect diversity and have a fair and ethical approach to others.
	The repeal of the Fire Services (Appointments and Promotion) Regulations in October 2004 has enabled people to apply to join the fire and rescue service at any level in the organisation, including strategic management. In addition, recruitment, retention and career progression targets for women and ethnic minority staff have been set for every fire and rescue service.
	The existing targets strategies have been reviewed and a new strategy will be published in 2006 following consultation with stakeholders.

Fire Service

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Fire Services College charged each brigade in Scotland for providing  (a) training courses and  (b) access to the college's library and online information and development resources in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: Information on the provision of training and library services by the Fire Service College is only available for the past five years. The amount charged by the College to Scottish Fire and Rescue Services is as follows:
	
		
			  Scotland Fire and Rescue Services—Training 
			  £ 
			   Financial years 
			   2006-05  2005-04  2004-03  2003-02  2002-01 
			 Central Region FRS 490.00 1,17.00 552.00 1,85.00 1,06.00 
			 Dumfries and Galloway FRS 290.00 104.00 996.00 263.00 995.00 
			 Fife FRS 2,052.00 5,412.00 3,980.00 3,992.00 2,706.00 
			 Grampian FRS 13,782.00 12,229.00 13,090.00 8,038.00 7,144.00 
			 Highland and Islands FRS 3,218.00 2,255.00 8,001.00 7,375.00 9,892.00 
			 Lothian and Borders FRS 3,667.00 5,761.00 7,261.00 8,138.00 10,625.00 
			 Strathclyde FRS 13,396.00 10,579.00 10,521.00 6,754.00 7,049.00 
			 Tayside FRS 2,575,00 1,693.00 373.00 321.00 913.00 
			 Total:: 39,470.00 39,250.00 44,774.00 35,966.00 40,530.00 
		
	
	
		
			  Library Services 
			  £ 
			   Financial years 
			   2006-05  2005-04  2004-03  2003-02  2002-01 
			 Central Region FRS 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Dumfries and Galloway FRS 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Fife FRS 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Grampian FRS 500.00 500.00 500.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Highland and Islands FRS 500.00 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Lothian and Borders FRS 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Strathclyde FRS 500.00 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Tayside FRS 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Total:: 1500.00 1500.00 500.00 0.00 0.00

Governance

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made with her Department's consultation on the governance arrangements for local areas.

Phil Woolas: We have been engaged in a wide-ranging debate with local government and other stakeholders about local governance and will set out our policy proposals in the forthcoming White Paper which we intend to publish shortly after the summer recess.

Green Public-Private Partnerships

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans there are to review and revise the publication 'Green Public-Private Partnerships.'

Angela Smith: There are currently no plans to update the publication 'Green Public Private Partnerships'.

Licensing Act

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many temporary event licences have been issued under the Licensing Act 2003 by Castle Point borough council since that Act's implementation.

Shaun Woodward: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not held centrally.

Licensing Act

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will attend the St. Mary's Church charity fund raising proms night on 15 June to observe the effect of the operation of the Licensing Act 2003.

Shaun Woodward: I am the Minister responsible for the Licensing Act 2003 and associated policy and I have therefore been asked to reply.
	I was travelling abroad on 15 June and would not therefore have been able to attend this event.
	We are currently monitoring and evaluating the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 nationally, but it is too early as yet to draw firm conclusions.

Local Authority Staff

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans her Department has to review the limits on political activity for local authorities' staff.

Phil Woolas: Our Discussion Paper, "Standards of Conduct in English Local Government", published on 15 December 2005, included our proposals for changes to the legislation on the political restrictions relating to local government employees. This followed consultation on a review of the regulatory framework governing the political activities of local government employees in 2004.

Local Government

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what procedures are followed in respect of elections for new parish councils; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The procedures that should be followed in respect of elections for new parish councils are set out in the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 and associated published guidance.
	District Councils should consult locally with interested parties on the electoral arrangements of new parish councils and then submit proposals on these to the Electoral Commission. If the Electoral Commission decides to implement proposals for new parish council electoral arrangements it does so by order at approximately the same time as the Secretary of State makes an order for the creation of a new parish.

Ministers' Offices

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Ministers in her Department have private offices in 26 Whitehall.

Angela Smith: None of the Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government has a private office in 26 Whitehall.

National Travel Scheme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent guidance she has given to  (a) bus operators and  (b) local authorities in Hampshire for the administration of the National Travel Scheme for the elderly and disabled, with particular regard to clarifying the conditions on which free travel is given.

Gillian Merron: I have been asked to reply.
	No decisions have been taken yet on how the national scheme will be delivered in 2008. The Department for Transport will be working with representatives from the bus industry and local authorities to consider the best framework for delivering the improved concessionary fares entitlement.

Sheltered Housing

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations she has received on the effects of the introduction of steady-state contracts on charities providing supported sheltered housing and care; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: We continue to receive representations about a wide range of issues relating to the Supporting People Programme. This includes the 1,000 plus responses to the recent Supporting People consultation which ran between 15 November 2005 and the end of March 2006.
	A number of these representations did contain references to new Supporting People contracts.

Staff Absenteeism

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many working days have been lost to the Department and its executive agencies in each year since 1997 due to staff absenteeism, expressed as the average annual number of absent days per employee; and what the estimated total cost to the Department and its agencies of absenteeism was in each year.

Angela Smith: The Department for Communities and Local Government was created on 5 May 2006 and its predecessor, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, was created on 29 May 2002. The number of days lost due to sickness and costs are contained in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. Reports for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are available in the House of Commons Library and on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/conditions _of_service/publications

Supported Housing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many units of building-based supported housing were replaced by floating support in 2005-06.

Phil Woolas: Supporting People administering authorities provide DCLG with quarterly information about the number and types of services and units. This allows us to identify numerical changes over time in the services provided, but it does not allow us to identify either the reason for any change or whether changes are linked. As such, it is not possible for DCLG to identify from information held centrally the extent to which any changes in service provision arise from the replacement of building-based supported housing by floating support.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1444W, on the Valuation Office Agency, whether the Valuation Office Agency's council tax automated valuation model holds  (a) data from the index of multiple deprivation and  (b) crime statistics in any form.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency's (VOA's) automated valuation model (AVM) neither  (a) uses nor  (b) holds data on these matters.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how the 10,000 neighbourhoods in the Valuation Office Agency's automated valuation model were designated; and whether they correlate with existing territorial classifications.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has identified approximately 10,000 localities for use within its automated valuation model (AVM). Each locality represents a geographic area within which domestic property prices are influenced by the same or similar market forces. The extent of each locality was determined, and then refined during the AVM analysis process, by experienced chartered surveyors employed within the VOA using their market and valuation knowledge. The VOA has not tested the extent to which locality boundaries correlate with existing territorial classifications although localities do not extend beyond local authority boundaries for operational reasons.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the technical limit is of the number of photographs that the Valuation Office Agency's digital photography application can hold.

Phil Woolas: There is no technical limit on the number of photographs that can be held by the Valuation Office Agency's digital photography application.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the name is of the Valuation Office Agency's digital photography application.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency's digital photography application is a bespoke application, written in ORACLE 9i software, and is simply referred to as "Digital Photography".

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Valuation Office Agency uses geocodes in its automated valuation model.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) uses only the National Land and Property Gazeteer "x, y co-ordinates" for spatial coding in its automated valuation model (AVM). No geocode data on proximity to geographic features or facilities is used.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Valuation Office Agency's Automated Valuation Model uses census data.

Phil Woolas: No.

HEALTH

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what information and advice is given to women following an abortion; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what research her Department  (a) has undertaken and  (b) plans to undertake to ascertain what counselling is given to women seeking an abortion; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what advice her Department issues to women contemplating an abortion; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department has not undertaken research to ascertain what counselling is given to women seeking an abortion and has no plans to do so. In addition, the Department has not issued advice to women contemplating an abortion. A number of organisations do produce patient leaflets on this issue including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Family Planning Association.
	The RCOG's evidence-based guideline "The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (2004)" gives recommendations to commissioners and service providers on the information to be given to women contemplating an abortion, following an abortion and on women's counselling needs.

Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health will be abolished.

Rosie Winterton: The abolition of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) will require the passing of primary legislation to repeal the provisions set out in statute for CPPIH to exist. Therefore, the date on which CPPIH is abolished is dependent on parliamentary time, and the passage of legislation.

Diabetes

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2006,  Official Report, column 720W, on diabetes, what assessment she has made of the impact of mandatory National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on diabetes issued to primary care trusts since January 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Data on the impact of the mandatory National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on diabetes issued to primary care trusts since January 2006 is not held centrally.

Genito-Urinary Services

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the Genito-Urinary Medicine Services Review of Watford General Hospital and St. Albans City and District Hospital commissioned by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health (MedFASH) is currently undertaking a national service review of capacity in Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) commissioned by the Department.
	I understand that MedFASH has now completed the review of Watford General Hospital and St. Albans City and District Hospital and the report has been circulated to all relevant stakeholders. The findings are for strategic health authorities in conjunction with primary care trusts to implement locally.
	Once the national review of all services is completed, a summary report will be published and placed in the Library.

Haemophilia

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 12 June 2006,  Official Report, columns 1013-14W, on haemophilia, 
	(1)  when she expects developments with regard to the Department's consideration of the Macfarlane Trust's submission;
	(2)  whether she plans to meet the chairman of the Macfarlane Trust.

Caroline Flint: The Minister for Public Health plans to meet the chair for the Macfarlane Trust on 12 July and the Macfarlane Trust's submission will be discussed. An earlier date was offered.

Health Services (Gloucestershire)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will meet the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Gloucestershire to discuss issues arising from the review of health services there.

Caroline Flint: Avon, Gloucester and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority launched its formal consultation on 12 June on "The Future of Healthcare in Gloucestershire Proposals for Developing Sustainable NHS Services" which will conclude on 4 September. Should the members of the overview and scrutiny committee feel that at the end of the consultation they have issues to raise they have the power to make a formal referral to Secretary of State.

Honeybourne Centre

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Honeybourne Specialist Rehabilitation and Recovery Centre in Cheltenham opened; and how much the project cost.

Caroline Flint: Within the framework of the "NHS Plan" and other national policy guidance, local national health service organisations are responsible for planning and developing health services for their local population.
	Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority has advised that the Honeybourne Specialist Rehabilitation and Recovery Centre in Cheltenham opened in September 2005, and that the project cost £1,078,000.

NHS Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS organisations did not achieve their cash releasing efficiency savings targets in 2005-06; and by what margin in each case.

Andy Burnham: Information specific to cash releasing efficiency savings at national health service organisation level is not held by the Department.

NHS Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of planned savings each  (a) primary care trust and  (b) NHS trust within the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority has to make as part of the operating framework requirements laid down by that strategic health authority; and what percentage that figure represents of the turnover of the trust in each case.

Caroline Flint: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 8 June 2006,  Official Report, column 835W.

Operations (Day Cases)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why her Department's Autumn Performance Report 2005 (Cm 6704) states that 70 per cent. of planned procedures now take place as day cases (p. 16), when the data placed in the Library relating to the answer of 17 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1117W, on operations, implies that the proportion of procedures performed as day cases has been at 50 per cent. since 2002-03.

Andy Burnham: The data from the Department's Autumn Performance Report 2005 are for elective activity, which includes waiting list, booked and planned admissions. The data in the answer of 17 May include all elective and non-elective operations including emergency admissions, which reduces the day case rate.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the process for overview and scrutiny committee reports to the Department of Health; what action she takes in the light of such a report; and what powers she has to order an independent inquiry into the proposals that  (a) a strategic health authority,  (b) a primary care and  (c) an NHS trust including foundation trusts produce.

Andy Burnham: The Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny of Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002 provide for an overview and scrutiny committee to refer a case to the Secretary of State where the committee considers that consultation has been inadequate or the proposal is not in the interests of the health service in its area. The Secretary of State will consider the referral alongside information provided by the local national health service and departmental officials. The Secretary of State may ask for independent advice on the referral, which may be from the independent reconfiguration panel or a different source. Where the proposal relates to an NHS foundation trust, the overview and scrutiny committee refers the case to Monitor, who may also seek independent advice.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will answer question 72961 on the Black and Minority Ethnic Mental Health Network.

Rosie Winterton: A reply was given on 14 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1283W.

PCT/Hospital Trust Boards

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ex-health service employees sit on the boards of  (a) primary care trusts and  (b) hospital trusts.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available centrally.

Primary Care Trusts (Hertfordshire)

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the two new primary care trusts to be introduced to cover Hertfordshire will  (a) be run by separate management teams and  (b) be headed by separately appointed chairmen and chief executives; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 16 June 2006
	Currently, the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA), which will form part of the new East of England SHA with effect from 1 July, is in discussions with stakeholders, including all local Members of Parliament, about shared management options for the two new primary care trusts (PCTs) in Hertfordshire.
	No decisions will be taken until that process has been completed.
	Each PCT will retain its own board with its own chair.

South Central SHA

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health where the offices of the new South Central Strategic Health Authority will be located; and whether they will be operational by 1 July.

Caroline Flint: This is a local matter. However, the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority (SHA) has advised that a final decision on the location of the office for the new SHA for South Central has not yet been made. On 1 July, the South Central SHA will continue to operate from three existing offices in Southampton, Winchester and Oxford.

Velcade

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress has been made on  (a) the licensing of Velcade and  (b) access to Velcade for patients;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the availability of Velcade.

Andy Burnham: Velcade was granted a European Union-wide marketing authorisation in April 2004. The current licensed indications are mono-therapy for the treatment of progressive multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least one prior therapy and who have already undergone or are unsuitable for bone marrow transplantation.
	Preparatory work on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisal of Velcade has commenced and I understand that NICE will publish a timescale for completion of this work in due course.
	In 1999, the Department issued Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks national health service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE has not yet been issued. These arrangements should include an assessment of the available evidence. There is no bar on clinicians prescribing drugs that have not yet been appraised by NICE.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Casinos

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with  (a) the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and  (b) the Department for Communities and Local Government on (i) the planning process for, (ii) the economic impact of and (iii) the social impact of new casinos.

Richard Caborn: My Department has worked very closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and now the Department for Communities and Local Government in respect of a range of issues concerning the new casinos permitted under the Gambling Act 2005. This includes, for example, the production of the "Casinos: National Policy Statement" (December 2004) which addresses planning, regeneration and social issues and the amendments to the Use Classes Order to make casinos a sui generic use, which was brought into effect at the beginning of April 2006.

Commonwealth Institute Building

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to bring forward legislation to delist the Commonwealth Institute building.

David Lammy: Given the Commonwealth Institute's unique role as an international and inter-governmental organisation whose future is of concern to all 53 Commonwealth countries, Government are considering whether special measures are appropriate in relation to the Commonwealth Institute building. Discussions are continuing across Government and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will answer the letter of 26 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. L. Bosch.

Shaun Woodward: I understand my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to my right hon. Friend's letter on 9 June 2006.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will obtain a reply on behalf of the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton to the letter of 9 May to the Chief Executive of Television Licensing with regard to Mr. P. Hartley.

Shaun Woodward: TV Licensing operates as agent for the BBC, which as television licensing authority has responsibility for administering and enforcing the licensing system. I have therefore asked the BBC's Head of Revenue Management to look into this matter for my right hon. Friend.

Digital Switchover

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to ensure that digital television is made accessible to those who are partially sighted.

Shaun Woodward: With the availability of audio-description services, digital technology can greatly enhance the enjoyment of television by blind and partially sighted people. But we are aware that some of them might need extra help in selecting, installing and using the digital equipment. This is why the Government have announced assistance schemes for people aged 75 and over, people in receipt of disability living allowance or attendance allowance, and the people registered as blind. I can confirm that people who are registered as partially sighted will also be eligible for the schemes. I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 14 March 2006,  Official Report, column 2101W, for more information on the schemes.

Digital Switchover

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps have been taken to ensure inclusion of blind and partially sighted people in progress towards digital switchover.

Shaun Woodward: holding answer 13 June 2006
	With the availability of audio-description services, digital technology can greatly enhance the enjoyment of television by blind and partially sighted people. But we are aware that some of them might need extra help in selecting, installing and using the digital equipment. This is why the Government have announced assistance schemes for people aged 75 and over, people in receipt of disability living allowance or attendance allowance, and the people registered as blind. I can confirm that people who are registered as partially sighted will also be eligible for the schemes. I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 14 March 2006,  Official Report, column 2101W, for more information on the schemes.

Digital Switchover

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will increase audio description targets to at least 20 per cent. to ensure greater inclusion of blind and partially sighted people in the digital switchover.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan) on 12 June 2006,  Official Report, column 943W.

Gambling Act

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding the Government are providing to local authorities to cover the  (a) implementation costs and  (b) ongoing costs associated with the Gambling Act 2005; and whether the New Burdens principle applies.

Richard Caborn: The Spending Review 2002 included provision for a number of new burdens on local authorities during the spending review period, including the set up costs of the licensing scheme to be established under the Gambling Act 2005. The funding was included within general grant. This is unhypothecated provision and local authorities are responsible for decisions on the use of that funding.
	The net additional cost to local authorities of the ongoing costs associated with the Gambling Act 2005 will be met from the fee arrangements. The Department will consult fully on the fees that local authorities may charge with a view to these fully meeting their efficient costs.

Ice Rinks

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many publicly-funded ice rinks there are in England.

Richard Caborn: There are 40 ice rinks in England of which 18 are in public ownership.

Library Closures

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many libraries have  (a) closed,  (b) been scheduled for closure and  (c) opened in each local authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

David Lammy: The table shows the change in the number of static public libraries in England, grouped into bands by opening hours, over the last five years and, for context, the comparable figures for 1997-98. The same information for each of the 149 library authorities in England can be found in the Public Library Statistics published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Copies are held in the House of Commons Library.
	
		
			  Static libraries in England 
			  Hours open per week 
			   60+  45-59  30-44  10-29  <10 
			 1997-98 6 449 1,279 1,323 157 
			 2000-01 19 469 1,206 1,331 130 
			 2001-02 28 493 1,199 1,311 115 
			 2002-03 42 598 1,168 1,240 91 
			 2003-04 51 683 1,143 1,186 80 
			 2004-05 69 727 1,139 1,106 96 
		
	
	I welcome the opening of Gloucestershire county council's two new libraries in Dursley and Longstevens.

Licensing Act

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many licences have been issued in respect of charity fund-raising events which did not provide alcohol since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: This information is not held centrally.

Licensing Act

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent consideration she has given to seeking to amend the Licensing Act 2003 to allow 'cumulative effect' to be considered in licensing decisions.

Shaun Woodward: The cumulative impact of multiple licensed premises on crime and disorder has always been, and continues to be, a matter which licensing authorities are entitled to take into account when representations are made to them about applications for the grant or variation of a premises licences or club premises certificates. This was confirmed by the decision of Mr. Justice Beatson on 11 April 2006 in the unreported case of R (J D Wetherspoon plc)  v. Guildford borough council. The Government therefore have no plans to amend the Licensing Act 2003 for this purpose.

Listed Buildings

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether primary legislation is required to delist  (a) the Commonwealth Institute building and  (b) other Grade II* listed buildings.

David Lammy: Primary legislation is not required to delist Grade II* listed buildings. Buildings can be removed from the statutory list if the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport considers, having consulted with her statutory advisers, English Heritage, and others as appropriate, that the building no longer has special architectural or historic interest. This is not the case with the Commonwealth Institute. Due to the unique and wider considerations which apply to the Commonwealth Institute, the Government are considering whether special measures are appropriate in this case. No decisions have yet been taken.

London Olympics

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the London Olympics on (a) Stroud and  (b) the South West, with particular reference to (i) events, (ii) use of training facilities and (iii) opportunities for tourist visits.

Richard Caborn: My Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact to Stroud, or the South West, of holding the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
	However, the 2012 games will have a positive impact on investment, tourism and business opportunities across the UK, and will be a boost in our drive to create a healthier and more active nation.
	Each region has been asked to develop a plan to ensure that they take full advantage of these benefits.
	With close proximity to London and the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy in neighbouring Dorset as the venue for all the 2012 sailing events, the games will be a terrific boost for Stroud and all the South West.

Staff Absenteeism

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many working days were lost to her Department and its executive agencies in each year since 1997 due to staff absenteeism, expressed as the average annual number of absent days per employee; and what the estimated total cost to her Department and its agencies of absenteeism was in each year.

David Lammy: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Sick absence figures are contained in the annual report Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service published by the Cabinet Office. Table A of the report gives details of both the average working days absence per staff year and the number of staff years on which that calculation is based on. The most recent report for the calendar year 2004 was announced by ministerial statement on 15 November 2005, and copies placed in the Library of the House. This report and those for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are available on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/occupational_health/publications/index.asp.

TV Licence

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to compensate those who will lose the value of the stamps on a television licence savings card because they were unable to transfer to a new savings card by 31 July.

Shaun Woodward: The BBC, as television licensing authority, is responsible for administering both the savings stamp scheme and the new savings cards. I understand from the corporation that savings stamps will remain redeemable from TV Licensing without limit of time. Holders of savings stamps will not therefore lose their savings in the event of delays in transferring the balance to a savings card.

Whole Sport Plan

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 12 June 2006,  Official Report, column 946W, on the Whole Sport Plan, how much of the £158.5 million has been spent; how much is allocated to each of the 34 priority and development sports; and how much is allocated to each of the other 12 sports.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 16 June 2006
	Of the £158.5 million so far committed by Sport England through Whole Sport Plans £65.3 million has been spent to date.
	Of the £158.5 million a total of £157 million has been committed to the 34 priority and development sports and £1.5 million has been committed to 12(1) other sports.
	The table shows a breakdown of funding 'committed' and 'committed in principle to each sport.
	
		
			  Sport England: whole sport plan awards 2005 to 2009 
			  £ 
			  34 priority and development sports  WSP funding committed as at 14 June 2006  WSP funding committed 'in principle' as at 14 June 2006 
			 Angling 369,999 369,998 
			 Athletics 2,646,000 830,000 
			 Badminton 10,290,555 0 
			 Baseball/Softball 1,240,000 0 
			 Basketball 1,773,500 1,000,000 
			 Boxing 2,555,000 0 
			 Canoeing 3,560,000 0 
			 Cricket 13,400,000 0 
			 Cycling 8,100,055 0 
			 Equestrian 1,900,000 0 
			 Football 4,500,000 0 
			 Golf 8,171,000 0 
			 Gymnastics 3,729,948 0 
			 Hockey 5,410,000 0 
			 Judo 3,826,000 0 
			 Karate 950,000 1,000,000 
			 Lacrosse 1,260,000 0 
			 Modern Pentathlon 789,000 0 
			 Mountaineering 750,000 0 
			 Movement and Dance 318,500 300,000 
			 Netball 10,800,000 0 
			 Orienteering 750,000 750,000 
			 Rounders 450,000 0 
			 Rowing 5,622,000 0 
			 Rugby League 9,910,000 0 
			 Rugby Union 6,490,000 3,000,000 
			 Sailing 5,509,000 0 
			 Squash 6,205,000 0 
			 Swimming and Diving 11,393,000 0 
			 Table Tennis 3,833,480 0 
			 Tennis 8,500,000 0 
			 Triathlon 2,521,400 0 
			 Volleyball 1,465,000 0 
			 Waterskiing 700,000 0 
			  149,688,437 7,249,998 
			 Total 156,938,435 
			
			  12 other sports   
			 Archery 30,000 15,000 
			 Bowls 213,500 (1)0 
			 Caving 7,500 0 
			 Fencing 80,000 30,000 
			 Handball 10,500 0 
			 Ice Skating 136,875 25,000 
			 Petanque 5,000 0 
			 Real Tennis 9,000 0 
			 Shooting 402,500 (2)0 
			 Skiing 70,000 30,000 
			 Surf Life Saving 10,500 0 
			 Taekwondo 30,000 (2)0 
			 Tug of War 4,750 0 
			 Weightlifting 388,000 30,000 
			 Wrestling 15,000 0 
			 Yoga 6,000 (2)0 
			  1,419,125 130,000 
			 Total 1,549,125 
			 Total 158,487,560 
			 (1) No whole sport plan submitted.  (2 )No longer funded. 
		
	
	(1) The table shows 16 'other' sports but four of those are no longer funded or did not submit a whole sport plan.

Young Athletes

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that sufficient facilities exist in West Yorkshire  (a) for the coaching of young athletes and  (b) where such athletes can train and compete.

Richard Caborn: The Government have, through a number of programmes, made substantial investment into the provision of facilities in West Yorkshire for young athletes. The investments include;
	£27,571,000 through the New Opportunities Fund School programme.
	£2,659,007 through the Community Club Development Programme.
	£1,418,900 through the Community Sports Coaches Scheme, with a further £1 million of partnership funding, which has helped to appoint 74 community coaches in West Yorkshire.
	£20,000 into the Step into Sport programme through West Yorkshire Sport.

PRIME MINISTER

Black/Asian Employees

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister how many  (a) black and Asian and  (b) other people are employed in his press office.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. McFadden) today.

Departmental Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Prime Minister what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the chief accounting officer of his Office.

Tony Blair: For accounting purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Hilary Armstrong) today.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister how many of his staff are  (a) under and  (b) over 55 years of age.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. McFadden) today.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister how many people over the age of 55 years have been recruited by his Office in each of the last three years.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. McFadden) today.

Dorneywood Trust Deed

Eric Pickles: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the 1942 Dorneywood Trust Deed.

Tony Blair: Copies of the Trust agreement are available in the Library in the House.

Health Service Statistics

Mark Harper: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer of 24 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1477, what geographical area he referred to when giving statistics for health services.

Tony Blair: The geographical area referred to was the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area. My answer included work force figures for Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA and the new mental health service at the Gloucestershire Partnership National Health Service Trust.

House of Lords (Nominations)

George Mudie: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2006,  Official Report, columns 118-19W, on House of Lords nominations, how many of the 4,090 people nominated for a non-party peerage were interviewed; and whether the Commission's undertakings on confidentiality and the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 applied to the process extend to the names of those nominated.

Tony Blair: This is a matter for the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Meetings (Back Benchers)

Bob Russell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will offer to all Back-Bench hon. Members individual private meetings following his slot for oral questions.

Tony Blair: I meet, when appropriate, hon. Members of all parties at a time of mutual convenience.

Social Exclusion

Eric Pickles: To ask the Prime Minister which Government Minister is responsible for tackling social exclusion; and in which Government Department the civil servants responsible for this issue are located.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the press notice on Machinery of Government Changes issued by my Office on 5 May, a copy of which is available on the Number 10 website. I also refer the hon. Member to the press notice on Social Exclusion issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 June, a copy of which is available on the Cabinet Office website. Copies of both press notices have also been placed in the Library of the House.

Special Envoys

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister which individuals have acted for him as Special Envoys since May 2005; what their function was in each case; and which countries each has visited.

Tony Blair: In his capacity as Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Lieutenant-General John McColl helped coordinate high-level dialogue between President Karzai and me. Lieutenant McColl visited Afghanistan in his capacity as Special Envoy.
	My right hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) is a Special Envoy on Human Rights in Iraq. My right hon. Friend has visited Belgium, Iraq and the United States since May 2005, to report back to me on developments regarding human rights issues in Iraq, as well as raising issues with Iraqi and international interlocutors.
	My noble Friend right hon. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean is a Special Envoy to the Two Kingdoms Dialogue (UK-Saudi Arabia), reporting to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. My noble Friend accompanied the then Foreign Secretary my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) to Riyadh in April 2006 and co-chaired the one-day Two Kingdoms Dialogue conference. In October 2005 I also appointed my noble Friend as my Special Representative to assist the Government's efforts to conclude Memoranda of Understanding, and associated arrangements, to facilitate the deportation from the UK of foreign nationals who represent a threat to the national security or whose presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good, with a number of Middle East and North African countries.
	In his capacity as my special representative to the Sultan of Brunei, Lord Powell of Bayswater undertakes meetings to discuss a wide range of matters of bilateral interest as well as regional and international issues.
	In respect of Lord Levy I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 17 March 2006,  Official Report, Columns 2581- 82W.

Veterans' Day

Mark Harper: To ask the Prime Minister what events he will be hosting in Downing Street on Veterans' Day in celebration of veterans; and to which  (a) individuals,  (b) groups and  (c) hon. and right hon. Members invitations to such events have been extended.

Tony Blair: I will be holding a reception at Downing Street to mark Veterans' Day. Representatives from nearly 40 Veterans associations, along with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Browne), my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Brown) and my hon. Friend the Minister for Veterans (Mr. Watson) have been invited. Those attending the reception have been selected to represent as broad a range of veterans' experience, service and age as possible.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Ministerial Residences

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff work in his official residences.

John Prescott: None.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Black/Asian Employees

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) black and Asian and  (b) other people are employed in her Department's press office.

Patrick McFadden: Information on ethnicity is collected on a voluntary basis.
	Where the information requested results in a figure of five or less these figures are not released as disclosure could lead to the identification of the people involved.
	Unfortunately, on this occasion, I am unable to provide the information.

Departmental Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the Chief Accounting Officer of her Department.

Hilary Armstrong: The Accounting Officer for the Cabinet Office is the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell KCB.
	Sir Gus has a first class honours degree in economics from the University of Warwick and an M. Phil in economics from Nuffield College, Oxford. These courses covered a wide range of subjects, including accountancy. He also worked as a research assistant on a project to show the impact of various methods of adjusting companies' financial accounts to allow for the effects of inflation. He then spent four years lecturing in economics and econometrics at the University of Glasgow.
	Sir Gus has served as permanent secretary to HM Treasury (2002 to 2005), Managing Director, Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance (1999 to 2002) and as Director of Macroeconomic Policy and Prospects (1998 to 1999). He has also worked as the UK's executive director to the IMF and World Bank (1997 to 1998) and as Head of the Government Economics Service, the UK's largest employer of professional economists (1998 to 2003). He has undertaken training throughout his career in a wide variety of subjects, including management and leadership.
	Accounting Officer is a role that the permanent secretary combines with his/her personal responsibility for the overall organisation, management and staffing of the Department and for Department-wide procedures in financial and other matters. The Accounting Officer is assisted in the discharge of these duties by suitably qualified and experienced senior managers.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of her staff are  (a) under and  (b) over 55 years of age.

Patrick McFadden: As at 31 December 2005, there were 1,821 staff employed by the department. Of these 1,590 staff were under age 55 and 231 were age 55 or over.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people over the age of 55 years have been recruited into her Department in each of the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: The number of people over the age of 55 years recruited into the Department in each of the last three years are shown in the table.
	
		
			   Number of staff 
			 2003-04 16 
			 2004-05 19 
			 2005-06 16

Foreign Travel

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on foreign travel by her Department in each of the last eight years.

Hilary Armstrong: The Cabinet Office Resource Accounting System does not hold information on overseas travel by officials detailed to the level that is required to answer this question, and it could be answered only at disproportionate cost.
	Since 1999 the Government have published, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. This information is available in the Library. Information for the financial year 2004-05 was published on 21 July 2005,  Official Report, column 158WS. Information for the financial year 2005-06 is in the process of being collated and will be published shortly.
	All foreign travel under taken by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Illegal Immigrants

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many illegal immigrants have been discovered to be employed by her Department in each year since 2001; in what capacities they were employed; how many were discovered as part of a criminal investigation; and what the nature was of the charges brought against them.

Patrick McFadden: No illegal immigrants have been employed directly by the Department.

Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  which Government Bills sponsored by her Department are still to be introduced during the current Session; and when, and into which House, each will be introduced;
	(2)  what plans she has for legislation in the next Session of Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

Hilary Armstrong: I refer the hon. Member to the response given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons on 16 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1431W.

Staff Absenteeism

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many working days were lost to her Department and its executive agencies in each year since 1997 due to staff absenteeism, expressed as the average annual number of absent days per employee; and what the estimated total cost to her Department and its agencies of absenteeism was in each year.

Hilary Armstrong: Information on working days lost per employee due to illness in the Cabinet Office and its agencies is published each year in "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service". The latest publication for calendar year 2004 was announced by ministerial statement 15 November 2005 and copies were placed in the Libraries of the House. The following table details the approximate total cost of working days lost to the department and its agencies in years 1997 to 2004.
	Cabinet Office and agencies are committed to managing sick absence effectively by making sure that managers proactively manage sickness absence and that they have the tools and training to do so.
	
		
			   Working days lost per employee  Average basic salary (£)  Estimated cost of total days lost (£) 
			 1997 6.6 15,155 932,214 
			 1998 6.1 15,480 945,958 
			 1999 6.8 15,550 971,398 
			 2000 4.6 15,850 858,717 
			 2001 5.7 16,400 838,411 
			 2002 4.8 16,980 940,375 
			 2003 4.2 17,770 1,034,924 
			 2004 3.6 18,890 957,496 
			  Notes:  1. The figures are based on Cabinet Office and the agencies that were attached to the Department and reported returns at the time of each report.  2. The estimated cost of total days lost is based on the average annual salary figures used in the report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service".

Wage and Administration Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on  (a) wages and salaries and  (b) total administration of the (i) Cabinet Office, (ii) Prime Minister's offices and (iii) Central Office of Information in each year since 1996-97, including the estimated outturn for 2005-06; and what the planned expenditure is for (A) 2006-07 and (B) 2007-08.

Hilary Armstrong: The Prime Minister's office is an integral part of Cabinet Office and is included in this response.
	Details of the Cabinet Office, including the Prime Minister's Office, expenditure on wages, salaries and total administration costs in 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 can be found in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Resource Accounts, schedule 2 (Cm 5053—page 14, Cm 5443—page 11, HC346—page 21, HC185—page 21, HC1190—page 27, and HC372—page 23 respectively).
	Copies of these reports are available in the Library and the reports for 2000-01, 2003-04 and 2004-05 are available on the Cabinet Office website at http://www. cabinetoffice.gov.uk/reports/annualreport/index.asp.
	For 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99, administration costs for the Cabinet Office can be found in the Cabinet Office Appropriation Accounts (HC 251-XV11—page 6, HC 1-XVII—page 6 and HC 11-XVII—page 6 respectively) copies of which are available in the Library. Expenditure on wages and salaries is not separately identifiable for these years.
	2005-06 figures are subject to final audit, but are estimated to be:
	
		
			   £000 
			 Wages and salaries 101,400 
			 Administration costs 167,700 
		
	
	On a like-for-like basis, planned expenditure in 2006-07 and 2007-08 is expected to be at a level similar to 2005-06, other than for the effects of inflation and Cabinet Office's continuing strive for efficiency. However, wages, salaries and total administration costs are likely to vary as a result of machinery of government changes.
	Details of wages, salaries and total administration costs for the Central Office of Information for the years 1996-97 to 2004-05 are contained in COI's annual report and accounts, (pages 5, 6, 6, 7, 22, 32, 41 and 42 respectively) which are available in the Library on the COI website, at: http://www.coi.gov.uk/aboutcoi.php ?page=56.
	2005-06 figures are subject to final audit, but are expected to be:
	
		
			   £000 
			 Wages and salaries 22,480 
			 Administration costs 37,008 
		
	
	On a like-for-like basis, planned expenditure in 2006-07 and 2007-08 is expected to be at a level similar to 2005-06, other than for the effects of inflation and COI's continuing efficiency target to reduce the unit cost of output by 2.5 per cent. per annum. However, wages, salaries and total administration costs will increase because of the transfer of Directgov and the Media Monitoring Unit from Cabinet Office to COI from 1 April 2006.

TREASURY

Capital Gains Tax Taper Relief

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue implications of abolishing capital gains tax taper relief and reducing the annual exempt amount for individual and trustees to  (a) £500,  (b) £1,000 and  (c) £2,500 in each year from 2004-05 to 2009-10 while simultaneously reintroducing indexation linked to (i) the consumer price index and (ii) the retail price index; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Broad estimates of the yield of abolishing capital gains tax taper relief and reducing the annual exempt amount for individual and trustees to  (a) £500,  (b) £1,000 and  (c) £2,500 for the 2006-07 while simultaneously reintroducing indexation linked to either the consumer or retail price index are available in the following table.
	
		
			  Annual exempt amount  Additional revenue (accruals £ million) 
			 £500 3,500 
			 £1,000 3,000 
			 £2,500 2,500 
		
	
	The figures are consistent with the assumptions made in Budget 2006 on future asset prices, and take into account the likely taxpayer behavioural responses to the tax change. The Annual Exempt Amount for Trusts is assumed to be half that of individuals. Figures for other years are not available.

Data Protection

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2006,  Official Report, column 175W, on the Data Protection Act, how many responses to requests to HM Revenue and Customs for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 were completed  (a) within 40 days,  (b) between 40 and 59 days,  (c) between 60 and 100 days and  (d) over 100 days after receiving the original letter in each of the last five years; and how many are outstanding.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs was created in April 2005.
	
		
			   Number 
			  (a) 2005 21,985 
			  (a) 2006(1) 9,141 
			   
			  (b) 2005 810 
			  (b) 2006(1) 552 
			   
			  (c) 2005 373 
			  (c) 2006(1) 160 
			   
			  (d) 2005 95 
			  (d) 2006(1) 43 
			   
			  (e) 2005 3 
			  (e) 2006(1) 0 
			 1 To date.

Data Protection

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2006,  Official Report, column 175W, on the Data Protection Act, what procedure HM Revenue and Customs uses to respond to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998; and what steps the Department takes to ensure that responses to such requests are completed within 40 days.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs includes training on Data Protection issues for all staff as part of their compulsory induction training. HM Revenue and Customs has a dedicated network of subject access officers who trace, retrieve and copy the personal information requested. These officers attend a mandatory interactive, training workshop where advice and guidance is provided on handling subject access requests as well as information about the principles of the Data Protection Act itself.
	An on-line training package is available for all staff to use and a data protection intranet website provides day to day advice on handling subject access requests as well as all aspects of DP legislation.
	A central team acts as the central point for logging all subject access requests. This team collates and issues all the information and by maintaining regular contact with the offices holding the data, ensures that as far as possible all responses are dealt with within the prescribed legislative time frame.

Data Protection

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2006,  Official Report, column 177W, on the Data Protection Act, when redactions made to documents to be disclosed following a request under the Data Protection Act 1998 are made whether a record is kept of  (a) who made each redaction and  (b) why it was made in the case of (i) HM Treasury and (ii) HM Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is as follows:
	 (a) Records are not routinely kept of the name of the officer who made each redaction.
	 (b) Redactions are most commonly made to protect personal data belonging to another individual; because the data do not constitute the data subject's personal data; to safeguard the accurate assessment and collection of taxes.

Data Protection

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2006,  Official Report, column 177W, on the Data Protection Act, what the minimum font size is in which documents held in electronic form are made available by (i) HM Treasury and (ii) HM Revenue and Customs for disclosure under the Data Protection Act 1998 are printed in relation to HM Treasury's policy to provide enlarged print size for the partially sighted.

Dawn Primarolo: Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs have a policy to provide enlarged print size on request to assist those with visual impairment. HM Revenue and Customs standard is font size 11 although slight variance may occur from system to system. In addition, the font size of documents which have been electronically scanned reflects the font size of the original(s).

Devolved Countries and Regions

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the responsibilities and operational duties are of his Department's devolved countries and regions team.

Stephen Timms: The devolved countries and regions team advises Treasury Ministers on a range of issues including matters in relation to the devolved Administrations and English regional bodies.

Doha Development Round

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the concordat of the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg on the Doha Development Round, what discussions he plans to have with  (a) Commissioner Mandelson,  (b) the director general of the World Trade Organisation and  (c) Ambassador Susan Schwab on (i) agricultural subsidies, (ii) non-market access and (iii) designation of import/export sensitive commodities.

Edward Balls: As the Chancellor set out in his statement to the International Monetary and Financial Committee on 22 April 2006, the international community must grasp the opportunity presented by the Doha Development Agenda of world trade talks to achieve an ambitious outcome, by the end of 2006, that will make a real contribution to poverty reduction.
	The need for a fairer trading global trading system was a key message of the UK presidency reflected in the communiqués of the G8 Finance Ministers in June 2005, the G8 Heads of State at Gleneagles in July 2005 and G7 Finance Ministers in December 2005. G8 Finance Ministers reiterated this message in their June 2006 communiqué, where they agreed:
	"on the importance for global growth of an ambitious outcome from the Doha Development Round and recognise that urgent progress is needed for its achievement. Many developing countries also need substantial aid for trade to help them take advantage of general trade liberalisation".
	As set out in the 2006 Budget, the UK Government continue to work with fellow EU and WTO member states towards an ambitious and pro-development conclusion to the Doha Round that would: substantially increase market access for developing countries; substantially reduce all trade-distorting domestic support; and provide effective special and differential treatment to enable developing countries to capture the gains from trade. All WTO members need to maintain commitment to the Round so that we can deliver on the promises of Doha without lowering the level of ambition.
	To this end Treasury Ministers and officials have conversations and discussions with a wide range of organisations and individuals as part of the process of policy development, analysis and delivery.

Domestic Building Renovations (VAT)

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he applied to the European Commission by the 31 March 2006 for a reduced rate of VAT on repair and renovation work for domestic buildings.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government chose not to apply to the European Commission for this reduced rate.

Government Spending

Anne Milton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total Government spending was in  (a) England,  (b) Wales,  (c) Scotland and  (d) Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Stephen Timms: Total public spending that can be identified as benefiting a particular country or region for 2000-01 to 2005-06 is published in table 7.1 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) 2006 (Cm6811). Public spending can be split into that which can be identified as benefiting a particular country or region and that which is for the benefit of the UK as a whole, for example defence spending. Therefore, the figures in PESA 2006 do not represent total public spending, which is not available by country.

Lifetime Savings Scheme

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the merits of a lifetime savings scheme for all individuals which would start with an element of child benefit and develop with significant tax benefits later in working life.

Edward Balls: The Government seek to promote saving and asset ownership for all, from childhood, through working life and into retirement. In keeping with this lifecycle approach, the Government aim to support:
	saving for children, through the Child Trust Fund, which promotes saving and financial education and will ensure that in future all children have a financial asset at age 18;
	saving throughout working life, through individual savings accounts, which provide accessible, tax-free savings; and
	saving for retirement, in particular through pensions tax relief.
	In addition, through the Saving Gateway, the Government are exploring the use of matching to promote saving among those that do not usually save.

Lyons Review

Phil Willis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with Sir Michael Lyons on his review of local government taxation; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy analysis, development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussion.
	Sir Michael Lyons' work into the function of local government, its future role and how it is funded in England is independent. Sir Michael published an Interim Report in December 2005 and a paper covering the role and function of local government in May 2006. He is due to make his final report to Ministers by the end of December 2006.

National Insurance

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been notified that they have incomplete national insurance contribution records in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: National insurance deficiency notices for the six-year period from 1996-97 to 2001-02 were issued in a single exercise. A total of 10,021 million notices were issued in the period October 2003 to September 2004. It is not possible to break this figure down into individual years.
	3,785 million notices were issued for 2002-03 tax year and 3,278 million notices were issued for 2003-04 tax year.

National Savings

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was lent to the Treasury by National Savings in each year since 1997.

Edward Balls: None. NS&I products are liabilities of the Exchequer, which meets its related obligations to lenders, and which are administered by NS&I.

National Savings

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of interest the Treasury pays National Savings.

Edward Balls: The Treasury does not pay interest to National Savings & Investments (NS&I). NS&I products are liabilities of the Exchequer, which meets its related obligations, including interest payments, to lenders, and which are administered by NS&I.

Pensions

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Government have made of the amount of  (a) income tax and  (b) national insurance contributions that would be paid by the 125,000 people who lost occupational pension rights from schemes that started to wind up before 6 April 2005 if the Government restored 100 per cent. of their lost pensions; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: It is not possible to estimate the amount of income tax that would be paid, as we do not have any information on the income distribution of people affected. No national insurance contributions would be paid.

Poverty (Wirral, West)

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures his Department has taken to reduce poverty in Wirral West since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The Treasury has, in partnership with other Government Departments, tackled poverty and promoted economic opportunity through:
	promoting macroeconomic stability;
	supporting work for those who can and ensuring that work pays, through the New Deals, a national minimum wage and the working tax credit;
	providing financial support for groups at particular risk of poverty, such as child benefit and the child tax for families, and the pension credit for pensioners.
	Across the UK, these measures have helped lift more than a million people out of poverty since 1997. Tax credits are benefiting more than half a million families in the North West region, and in Wirral South claimant unemployment has fallen by half, youth unemployment has fallen by 75 per cent. and long-term unemployment has fallen by 89 per cent.

Premium Bonds

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what returns the average investor could expect from Premium Bonds in each year since 1997.

Edward Balls: The average return to investors from Premium Bonds in each year since 1997 are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Expected annual return for average investor( 1) (percentage) 
			 1997 4.79 
			 1998 5.00 
			 1999 3.77 
			 2000 4.02 
			 2001 3.85 
			 2002 2.51 
			 2003 2.30 
			 2004 2.64 
			 2005 3.14 
			 (1) Rounded to account for the fact that the minimum prize value is £50.

Scottish Executive

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department's  (a) efficiency reviews,  (b) public service agreements and  (c) spending reviews are applied to the block grant allocated to the Scottish Executive.

Stephen Timms: The Scottish Executive is responsible for setting its own targets for efficiency and public service delivery in devolved areas. Changes to the Scottish Executive departmental expenditure limit are determined in accordance with the Treasury publication 'Funding the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly—a Statement of Funding Policy'. The latest edition was published in July 2004.

Scottish Executive

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) procedures and  (b) conventions are applied to the treatment of funds drawn down to the Scottish Consolidated Fund and subsequently (i) underspent and (i) overspent by the Scottish Executive.

Stephen Timms: Section 10 of the Treasury publication "Funding the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly—a Statement of Funding Policy" details the arrangements that are in place for the handling of end year flexibility, breaches of departmental expenditure limits and the management of cash balances.

Scottish Executive

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions  (a) officials and  (b) Ministers in his Department have had with the Scottish Executive on the treatment of underspends in the Scottish Consolidated Fund and its future distribution.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with the Scottish Executive from time to time to discuss matters of common interest.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters have been received by the Tax Credits Office in each month since October 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 7 June 2006
	The volumes of items of post(1) that HM Revenue and Customs' Tax Credit Office (TCO) received in each of the months since October 2005 was around:
	(1) These will include changes of circumstances and renewal forms.
	
		
			   Items received 
			  2005  
			 October 281,000 
			 November 241,000 
			 December 215,000 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 211,000 
			 February 233,000 
			 March 257,000 
			 April 167,000 
			 May 254,000

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the accuracy level of tax credits processing was in each year since 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: For 2003-04, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 July 2005,  Official Report, column 698W.
	Performance for 2004-05 was published in the departmental accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005 which are available on the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/reports.htm.
	Indicative results for the Department's performance for 2005-06 will be published shortly in HMRC spring departmental report 2006.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the reasons for the tax credit overpayments in 2004-05; how many of these involved official error; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many tax credit overpayments involving official error have been made since April 2003; and in how many of these cases the overpayment has been written off.

Dawn Primarolo: For information on number of overpayments involving official error, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 January 2006,  Official Report, column 772W.
	For causes of overpayments I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 5 December 2005,  Official Report, columns 55-56WS.
	The amount of 2003-04 overpayments written off due to official error can be found in the Comptroller and Auditor General's Standard Report on the Accounts of the Inland Revenue 2004-05, which is available on the HMRC website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/ir-report2005.pdf

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  which of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Ombudsman in her report on Tax Credits: Putting Things Right had been  (a) implemented,  (b) accepted but not implemented,  (c) rejected and  (d) considered for implementation by 31 May 2006; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on plans to implement the recommendations in paragraph 5.17 of the Parliamentary Ombudsman's June 2005 report on tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC have responded positively to the Ombudsman's report. For example:
	HMRC have improved guidance to staff on the availability of interim payments.
	Suspension of recovery on disputes was introduced in November 2005.
	A revised award notice including a single page check sheet to help claimants with their award notice were introduced from April 2006. The check sheet includes a section on overpayments and highlights the availability of additional tax credits payments.
	The Code of Practice on overpayments (COP26) was revised earlier this year and now provides a clearer statement of what is meant by the reasonableness test in official error cases.
	From November 2006 the tax credits computer system will limit any in year adjustment to the cross year recovery limits as detailed in COP26. The Tax Credit Office have a manual process to effect requests in the interim.
	In respect of recommendation 10, current policy is for overpayments to be written off where there was a mistake by HMRC and it was not reasonable for the claimant to have spotted the error. The Government believe this strikes the right balance between being fair to those claimants who have been paid the incorrect amount and being fair to the taxpayer in general.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed by  (a) the tax credits office and  (b) the tax credits hotline in each month from September 2005 to March 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: For the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed in Tax Credit Office (TCO) at the end of September 2005, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 7 December 2005,  Official Report, column 1326W.
	 (a) The number of FTE staff in post in the TCO at the end of October 2005 to the end of February 2006 inclusive was around:
	
		
			  Staff number (FTEs) 
			  Month  Number 
			  2005  
			 October 2,800 
			 November 2,800 
			 December 2,800 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 2,800 
			 February 3,000 
			 March 3,100 
		
	
	 (b) HMRC estimates of the number of full-time equivalent staff employed on tax credit helplines, in each month from September 2005 to March 2006 are detailed in the following table. In addition HMRC can use up to another 1,350 staff (FTEs) to answer tax credit calls at peak times.
	
		
			  Staff number (FTEs) 
			  Month  Number 
			  2005  
			 September 3,400 
			 October 3,400 
			 November 3,400 
			 December 3,400 
			 January 3,200 
			   
			  2006  
			 February 3,300 
			 March 3,350

Tax Investigations

Peter Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax investigations were carried out in Northern Ireland in each year since 1998.

Dawn Primarolo: Since 1998 the number of tax investigations concerning income tax and corporation tax carried out in Northern Ireland each year are respectively:
	
		
			   Number 
			 1998-99 5,860 
			 1999-2000 10,917 
			 2000-01 11,162 
			 2001-02 10,009 
			 2002-03 7,673 
			 2003-04 8,308 
			 2004-05 6,804 
			 2005-06 6,272

Tax Investigations

Peter Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax was recovered in Northern Ireland by HM Revenue and Customs as a result of tax investigations in each year since 1998.

Dawn Primarolo: The amounts brought to charge in relation to income tax and corporation tax as a result of tax investigations carried out in Northern Ireland each year is respectively:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2000-01 22.09 
			 2001-02 24.71 
			 2002-03 29.76 
			 2003-04 39.04 
			 2004-05 43.40 
			 2005-06 49.43 
		
	
	Data in respect of earlier years are not available.

Tax Revenue

Anne Milton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the tax revenue from  (a) England,  (b) Wales,  (c) Scotland and  (d) Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Stephen Timms: As taxes are often collected centrally and cannot usually be directly attributed to countries within the UK, only a limited amount of estimates are available.
	HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publishes regional and country information for stamp duties and estimates for income tax, which are available on their websites:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/stamp_duty/table15_2_ october04.pdf
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#311
	The Scottish Executive produce estimates of tax revenues attributable to Scotland in their publication 'Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland'. These are published at:
	http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47121/0020630.pdf

Unclaimed Assets

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether further legislation will be required for the use of unclaimed assets for charitable and other purposes.

Edward Balls: The Government reported in the Budget that the banking industry has set in train work to develop a scheme to enable unclaimed assets to be reinvested in society. The industry's steering group is currently considering issues of definition, reuniting and operation and distribution. The Government are clear that such a scheme needs to be consistent with retaining the rights of owners to reclaim assets at any time and, with this in mind, is assessing the legal and accounting issues involved. This work is ongoing.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency has purchased  (a) software and  (b) consultancy services from the company CDC Ltd. in the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency has not purchased  (a) software or  (b) consultancy services from the company CDC Ltd. in the last five years.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the documents produced by the Valuation Office Agency Director of Modernisation for the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation conferences in  (a) Spain in February 2005 and  (b) Blackpool in May 2006.

Dawn Primarolo: No documents were produced by the Valuation Office Agency's Director of Modernisation for the IRRV conference Spain in February 2005. However, some slides were used at this presentation and a copy of these has been placed in the Library. He did not attend the IRRV conference in Blackpool in May 2006.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent communications, public relations and marketing staff were employed by the Valuation Office Agency at each grade in each year since 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the Valuation Office Agency, by grade, since 2001 in the categories described are shown in the following tables:
	Staff responsible for internal communications channels and content (including maintenance of the Agency's intranet site) and for external publications and communications (including maintenance of the Agency's website)
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Band 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Band 3 1 1 3 3 3 3 
			 Band 4 7 8 8 8 8 8 
			 Band 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 
		
	
	Within the District Valuer Services business stream of the Agency, a number of staff are employed, on a full or part-time basis, as client account or client development managers. Their numbers are shown in the following table. "Marketing" is part of their much wider roles, and no separate attribution of time to this particular aspect is available.
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Senior Civil Service — 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.20 
			 Band 1 — — 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 
			 Band 2 — — — — 4 4 
			 Band 3 — — — — 4 4

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Degree Subjects

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many higher education institutions in the North East region offered  (a) mathematics,  (b) physics,  (c) biology,  (d) chemistry,  (e) computing and electronics and  (f) engineering-related degrees in each year since 1994-95; and how many enrolments there were in each year.

Bill Rammell: There are five HE institutions in the North East: Durham University, Newcastle University, The University of Northumbria at Newcastle, The University of Sunderland and the University of Teesside. The available information is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			  Number of HE institutions in the North East with first degree students studying Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computing or Engineering as their principal subject 
			   Mathematical sciences  Of which: Maths  Physical Sciences  Of which: Physics  Of which: Chemistry  Biological Sciences  Of which: Biology 
			 1994 5 5 5 3 5 5 3 
			 1995 5 5 5 3 5 5 3 
			 1996 5 5 5 3 5 5 3 
			 1997 5 5 5 3 5 5 4 
			 1998 5 5 5 3 5 5 4 
			 1999 5 5 5 3 5 5 4 
			 2000 5 5 5 3 5 5 5 
			 2001 4 4 5 3 5 5 5 
			 2002 4 4 5 4 5 5 5 
			 2003 5 4 5 3 5 5 5 
			 2004 4 4 5 2 5 5 5 
		
	
	
		
			   Computer Sciences  Of which:  Computer Science  Engineering and technology  Of which:  Engineering 
			 1994 5 5 5 5 
			 1995 5 5 5 5 
			 1996 5 5 5 5 
			 1997 5 5 5 5 
			 1998 5 5 5 5 
			 1999 5 5 5 5 
			 2000 5 5 5 5 
			 2001 5 5 5 5 
			 2002 5 5 5 5 
			 2003 5 5 5 5 
			 2004 5 5 5 5 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December each year. 2. Mathematical Sciences include disciplines such as statistics and operational research in addition to mathematics courses. 3. Physical sciences include disciplines such as geography, geology, materials science, forensics and archaeology in addition to physics and chemistry courses. 4. Biological Sciences include disciplines such as microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology in addition to biology courses. 5. Computer Sciences include courses in artificial intelligence and software engineering in addition to named computer science courses. 6. Engineering and Technology covers all engineering disciplines and metallurgy and textile courses.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of first degree students enrolled at HE institutions in the North East, who are studying Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computing or Engineering as their principal subject 
			   Mathematical sciences  Of which: Maths  Physical Sciences  Of which: Physics  Of which: Chemistry  Biological Sciences  Of which: Biology 
			 1994 950 670 2,545 455 985 1,895 840 
			 1995 865 680 3,180 460 945 2,900 750 
			 1996 865 680 3,200 485 970 3,570 685 
			 1997 895 725 3,250 425 965 3,815 685 
			 1998 805 750 3,470 460 965 4,550 635 
			 1999 805 690 3,175 425 900 4,185 655 
			 2000 720 620 2,930 385 740 4,090 670 
			 2001 665 550 2,850 370 710 4,150 675 
			 2002 975 710 3,165 510 755 4,835 750 
			 2003 1,040 740 3,380 530 815 5,095 715 
			 2004 1,045 750 3,460 580 870 5,255 665 
		
	
	
		
			   Computer Sciences  Of which: Computer Science  Engineering and technology  Of which: Engineering  Total (individual subjects) 
			 1994 1,160 2,575 3,095 4,395 9,920 
			 1995 2,830 2,830 4,825 4,160 9,825 
			 1996 2,935 2,935 4,500 3,810 9,565 
			 1997 3,090 3,090 4,085 3,425 9,320 
			 1998 3,490 3,385 4,360 3,115 9,310 
			 1999 3,640 3,640 3,385 2,860 9,165 
			 2000 3,885 3,885 3,165 2,685 8,990 
			 2001 4,350 4,350 2,975 2,515 9,175 
			 2002 4,730 4,685 2,975 2,760 10,175 
			 2003 4,795 4,715 2,970 2,730 10,240 
			 2004 4,505 4,395 4,160 3,900 11,155 
			  Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 5 so components may not sum to totals. 2 Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December each year. 3. Between 2001-02 and 2002-03 the subject groupings changed from HESA groups to JACS groups: this may cause a discontinuity. 4. Mathematical Sciences include disciplines such as statistics and operational research in addition to mathematics courses. 5. Physical sciences include disciplines such as geography, geology, materials science, forensics and archaeology in addition to physics and chemistry courses. 6. Biological Sciences include disciplines such as microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology in addition to biology courses. 7. Computer Sciences include courses in artificial intelligence and software engineering in addition to named computer science courses. 8. Engineering & Technology covers all engineering disciplines and metallurgy and textile courses.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Headteachers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the  (a) highest and  (b) average gross salary for headteachers is in a (i) secondary and (ii) primary school in Castle Point.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not available.

Overseas Students

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many overseas students were studying at English Universities in each of the last five years, broken down by  (a) subject and  (b) country of origin.

Bill Rammell: The available information has been placed in the House Libraries. The data in the tables has been taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record where the method of recording subject of study was revised in 2002/03, hence figures for 2002/03 onwards are not comparable to earlier years.

Pupil Exclusions

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils have been reinstated into schools by the independent appeals panel after being permanently excluded for violent conduct in each of the last three years.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not held centrally. The appeals data provided to the Department do not include the reason for the exclusion. The latest available information on appeals against permanent exclusion from school for any reason is given in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary, secondary and special schools( 1) : summary of exclusion appeals, England: 2001/02 to 2003/04 
			   Appeals against exclusion from school 
			   2001/02  2002/03  2003/04 
			 Number of appeals lodged 1,130 1,070 1,130 
			 Number of appeals heard 1,060 990 1,050 
			 Percentage of appeals heard(2) 94.2 92.2 92.8 
			 Number of appeals determined in favour of the parent/pupil 260 210 220 
			 Percentage of appeals determined in favour of the parent/pupil(3) 24.4 21.1 21.2 
			 Number of successful appeals where reinstatement was directed n/a 150 130 
			 Percentage of successful appeals where reinstatement was directed(4) n/a 71.3 57.0 
			 n/a = Not available.  (1) Excludes non-maintained special schools.  (2) Shown as a percentage of appeals lodged.  (3) Shown as a percentage of appeals heard.  (4) Shown as a percentage of appeals determined in favour of the parent/pupil.   Note:  Totals may not appear to equal the sum of component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.   Source:  School exclusion appeals survey. 
		
	
	This information is taken from 'National Statistics First Release: Permanent and Fixed Period Exclusions from Schools and Exclusion Appeals in England, 2003/04, SFR 23/2005', which is available in the Library.
	Information on fixed period and permanent exclusions and exclusion appeals during the 2004/05 school year will be published by the Department on 29 June 2006.

Safety Equipment (Schools)

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken to ensure the installation of appropriate safety equipment within schools, with particular reference to steps taken at the construction stage.

Jim Knight: Overall responsibility for installing safety equipment lies with the Employer, under the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974. In the case of community schools, community special schools, maintained nursery schools, pupil referral units and voluntary controlled schools the employer is the local authority. For foundation schools, foundation special schools, voluntary-aided schools and some independent schools, the employer is usually the governing body of the school.
	The employer has the duty to prepare the overall health and safety plan, ensure its implementation and monitor it. Local authorities have the powers to delegate more detailed planning to schools if they wish, but continue to have ultimate responsibility. The plan is enforceable by the Health and Safety Executive who can take action against the employer.
	At construction stage responsibility for planning and specifying appropriate safety equipment, which meets required standards, lies with the employer and their agents (architects or equivalent professional consultants). The responsibility for ensuring equipment is installed accordingly and is working correctly on completion lies with the contractor.

Science Teaching

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to broaden the curriculum for the teaching of science.

Jim Knight: holding answer 15 June 2006
	From September 2006, we are introducing a revised key stage 4 programme of study which focuses on scientific literacy. It will maintain the breadth, depth and challenge of the current curriculum while giving teachers greater flexibility to provide for the wide range of students' interests and aptitudes.
	We are making similar changes to the key stage 3 science curriculum which will commence in September 2008.

Sex Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken  (a) to improve sex education and  (b) to increase awareness of sexual health issues in schools.

Parmjit Dhanda: We are committed to helping schools improve their delivery of this important area of the curriculum. In addition to the Department's 'Sex and Relationship Education Guidance' (2000) which includes guidelines on the coverage of sexual health issues, all teachers of SRE are encouraged to undertake the Government funded certificate in personal social and health education (PSHE). The certificate supports standards in the delivery of PSHE teaching including sex and relationship education and is also open to community nurses. To date, over 2,000 teachers and nurses have been certificated under the programme.
	The Department has also recently announced the launch of a subject association for PSHE. The association will provide a central support network for teachers giving them a focal point to receive advice, gather and share examples of good practice and promote existing guidance, on all areas of PSHE, including SRE and sexual health.
	In 2006-07, the National Healthy Schools programme, a key programme for driving up standards in PSHE, will also benefit from increased funding (£12.4 million). Healthy Schools must demonstrate that they have a sex and relationship education programme in line with DfES guidance.
	Teachers have also been given a package of support from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. This has included guidance on assessment to help schools evaluate what young people are learning through PSHE as well as units of work on SRE.

Tuition Fees (Peterborough)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was paid in tuition fees by students in  (a) Peterborough constituency and  (b) Peterborough city council area in each year since fees were instituted.

Bill Rammell: Students on full-time undergraduate courses and their families are expected to make a contribution towards the cost of their tuition based on household income. Students from lower income backgrounds are wholly or partially exempt from paying tuition fees.
	The amount of private contributions to tuition fees by students from Peterborough local authority in academic years 1999/2000 to 2003/04 are given in the table.
	
		
			  Contribution from students paying all or part of their tuition fees 
			  Academic year  £ million 
			 1999/2000 0.5 
			 2000/01 0.8 
			 2001/02 0.8 
			 2002/03 0.9 
			 2003/04 1.0 
			  Source:  Student Loans Company (SLC) 
		
	
	Data in the answer cover the period from 1999/2000 to 2003/04. Data for 2004/05 onwards are not available as student applications from Peterborough were processed by another local authority (Cambridgeshire), and can not be disaggregated.
	Contributions towards tuition fees of up to £1,000 were introduced in academic year 1998/99 but, as that year was treated as a transitional year, data are not available on the same basis as subsequent years.
	Academic years 1999/2000 and 2000/01 contain two and three cohorts respectively of students subject to the new student support scheme.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Audiology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost of providing a digital hearing aid on the NHS is in the Province including  (a) assessment,  (b) fitting,  (c) follow-up and  (d) purchase of the aid (i) to the NHS and (ii) to the patient.

Paul Goggins: The answers to  (a),  (b) and  (c) cannot be provided because the information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The cost of purchasing a digital hearing aid (DHA) varies depending on the specification. The majority of DHAs provided cost between £56 and £270. There is no cost to the patient.

Bullying in Schools

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of bullying of children have been reported in the last financial year  (a) at primary schools and  (b) in post primary education, broken down by (i) board area, (ii) category of bullying and (iii) type of location of incident.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Education does not collect the information requested.
	Information about the scale and nature of bullying in Northern Ireland schools is contained in a research report published in October 2002. A research briefing summary is available on the Department's website at:
	www.deni.gov.uk/rb8_2002.pdf
	The Department has recently commissioned updated research into bullying, in all its forms, and the results are expected to be ready for publication by mid 2007.

Businesses

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to help businesses become more innovative since 31 May 2005; and how many businesses in Northern Ireland have been assisted in this way over the period.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment continues to work with all Departments and Invest NI to ensure the delivery of 'think/create/innovate—the Regional Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland', which seeks to develop the region's innovation economy. A formal review of 'think/create/innovate' is currently under way, the outcomes of which will contribute to the identification of the key priorities for Northern Ireland's R&D and innovation system during the period 2006-10.
	In the period 1 June 2005 to 31 May 2006, Invest NI supported 180 research and development projects which offered grant of £11.86 million against total project costs of £31.35 million. Invest NI also delivered £12.3 million assistance against total project costs of £60.8 million to support a further 308 projects across a range of process, strategy and innovation programmes. 131 businesses were also offered grant of £1.5 million to improve their use of information communication technology and implement new e-business processes and 126 businesses received assistance to enter/develop new markets under the Explorers/Connections programmes.
	Recognising the importance of best practice, Invest NI also supported 71 Business Improvement Training agreements, visited 419 companies to provide tailored ICT advice, provided 104 companies with ICT demonstrations, responded to 480 requests for technical advice, conducted 430 intellectual property searches, and delivered 514 portions of HR advice and guidance.
	Invest NI also delivered £2.5 million to business in respect of 10 existing letters of offer under the Centres of Excellence programme.
	In March 2006, Invest Northern Ireland hosted its first ever Innovation Week with the theme of 'Think Different Grow Fast.' 16 events were delivered across Northern Ireland which attracted more than 1,000 business representatives.

Businesses

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings Ministers have attended with  (a) senior departmental officials and  (b) business leaders in Northern Ireland to discuss how best to help Northern Ireland businesses become more innovative since 31 May 2005.

Maria Eagle: In keeping with the ethos of the Economic Vision and the Regional Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland, the importance of innovation as a driver to the Northern Ireland economy is a key component of the activities undertaken by the NI ministerial team and their respective Departments.
	For instance, during the period in question, Ministers took part in 12 company visits at which they promoted the continued need for innovation as key to company competitiveness. Innovation has also been a key feature of a recent trade mission to India.
	Innovation has also been a topic for discussion raised by Ministers at various networking events hosted by Northern Ireland's business representative organisations, in addition to being the subject of a number of key note addresses, including the recent International Creative Clusters conference which took place in Belfast in October 2005.
	At a strategic level, Ministers and senior departmental officials for the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Employment and Learning and Regional Development regularly participate in Economic Development Forum (EDF) meetings at the Northern Ireland Office at which they discuss many of the issues of importance to Northern Ireland's social and economic development, including a quarterly report by the EDF Innovation Sub-Group.
	More generally, Ministers meet on a regular (usually weekly) basis with senior officials from their departments to discuss key policy and operational issues. The Regional Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland has the ownership of all Departments and is a key influence underpinning departmental activities.

Census

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 8 June 2006,  Official Report, column 798W, on the Valuation and Lands Agency, how many census output areas there are in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: The 2001 census results in Northern Ireland were reported for 5,022 census output areas.

Consultants

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria and procedures he uses when selecting consultants for publicly-funded work.

David Hanson: The procedure for the appointment of consultants for work within Northern Ireland Departments is based on a competitive process and is governed by the rules set out in the Government Accounting Northern Ireland manual (GANI) and the Public Contracts Regulations 2006.
	Where expected spend is not above European Union procurement thresholds, Departments will comply with the principles set out in GANI.
	Where spend is expected to be above European Union procurement thresholds in addition to complying with GANI, Departments will comply with the procedures set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2006.
	The criteria used for awarding a public contract will be based on the offer which
	is the most economically advantageous from the point of view of the contracting authority; or
	offers the lowest price.

Cross-border Action

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action each relevant Department of the Northern Ireland Administration has taken since his announcement with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs in December 2005 of cross-border action for the north-west region.

David Hanson: Following our statement in December 2005, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and I announced the establishment of a North West Gateway Initiative on 2 May. This comprises a framework of elements aimed at addressing various problems and offering solutions on a co-ordinated basis across the region. Work at departmental level, North and South, includes the commencement of a non-statutory development framework for the north-west on which consultation with key stakeholders is planned at an early stage; and a seminar involving further and higher education and business interests is being held later this month to consider how best to utilise education and training resources to enhance the skills profile of the region.
	The National Roads Authority in the South and Roads Service in Northern Ireland are in discussion aimed at identifying potential improvements to the roads' network for the north-west and both Finance Departments have invited the Special EU Programmes Body to assist in the development of strategic proposals which could be considered under the new round of EU Structural Funds.
	On economic development, skills and employment, the respective agencies are working together on action plans in their respective areas, e.g. trade and investment promotion (IDA/EI/INI/ITI), tourism (Tourism Ireland/NITB/Failte Ireland), skills/training (FAS/DEL), education, innovation and business development. This work will draw on the joint economic study exploring further opportunities for North-South economic co-operation. It will also build on a range of existing initiatives such as Innovation North West Ireland, Destination North West, the North West Business and Technology zone, North West Region Data Capture project and others. On telecommunications, the issue of open access is being further investigated in the context of the wider needs of the region and, in particular, the completion of telecoms requirements for the cross-border technology park.
	A round of consultations between the joint group of officials established earlier this year to assist in maximising the potential of the north-west region and key stakeholders took place on 12 June. It is envisaged that the group will hold further consultations as work progresses.

Departmental Expenditure

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the 10 non-public sector entities that have received the largest total sum of payments from his Department in each of the past five years.

Peter Hain: The following information represents the 10 non-public sector entities that have received the largest total sum of payments from the Northern Ireland Office in each of the past five years.
	Fujitsu Services (Technical support for Causeway Programme)
	McCombe Bros Ltd (Security work/maintenance on property as part of Key Persons Protection Scheme)
	British Telecom
	Knock Travel Agents (Travel agents used by NIO for booking flights)
	Victim Support Northern Ireland (Voluntary Body part funded by NIO)
	Deloitte MCS Ltd (IT Consultancy for Hamill, Nelson and Wright Inquiries)
	J H Turkington and Sons Contractors Ltd (Building contractors for Public Prosecution Service new regional accommodation)
	Jameson Building Services Ltd (Security work/maintenance on property as part of Key Persons Protection Scheme)
	Madden and Finucane Solicitors (Legal fees relating to Bloody Sunday Inquiry)
	Heron Bros Ltd (Contractors for Phase 1 of Juvenile Justice Centre (Rathgael))

Child Sexual Abuse

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what treatment and services are available to children and young people in Northern Ireland who have been victims of sexual abuse.

Paul Goggins: Medical services for child victims of sexual abuse are provided by community paediatric medical staff or by paediatricians in a hospital setting and are subject to formal protocols.
	Victims may also be referred for counselling/psychotherapy services. These are delivered by:
	health and social services trusts, mainly through primary care mental health services, mainstream psychiatric services, and specialist children's services;
	voluntary organisations; and
	independent providers.
	In addition to the resources allocated for the delivery of these services by HSS trusts, Government support voluntary organisations working with victims of sexual violence through the provision of grant funding.

Departmental Pensions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in each Department in Northern Ireland, including the Northern Ireland Office, have  (a) applied to buy added years and  (b) are currently paying for added years to be added to their pension arrangements.

David Hanson: The table details the number of staff in each Department in Northern Ireland, including the Northern Ireland Office who have applied to buy added years and those who are currently paying for added years to be added to their pension arrangements.
	Information on Agencies sponsored by Departments is included with the Department unless separately identified.
	Figures relating to the Northern Ireland Office include both members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Home Civil Service working in that Department.
	
		
			  Employing department  Applications to buy added years  Staff currently paying for added years 
			 Department of Education 0 7 
			 Department of Finance and Personnel 0 60 
			 Department of the Environment 0 44 
			 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 1 80 
			 Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 0 20 
			 Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure 0 5 
			 Department of Regional Development 0 55 
			 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister 0 17 
			 Department of Social Development 1 8 
			 Child Support Agency 0 4 
			 Social Security Agency 0 10 
			 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry 0 11 
			 Department of Employment and Learning 0 11 
			 Northern Ireland Office 6 15 
			 Northern Ireland Prison Service 0 5 
			 Total 8 352

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 25 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1977W, on departmental staff, what criteria for the award of non-consolidated bonuses were used in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06; and what assessment he has made of the (i) average size and (ii) number of such awards in those years.

David Hanson: The criteria for the award of all non-consolidated bonuses used between  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06 were unchanged in that they were entirely performance related. The number and size of the bonuses available each year therefore vary according to performance of staff and to the budget available.
	The increase in the overall value in bonuses awarded in 2005-06 as compared with previous years is due to an increase in the value of non-consolidated performance bonuses paid to non-industrial staff below senior civil service level as a result of the 2005-06 pay settlement. This reflects Government pay policy to reward higher in-year performance through the award of non-consolidated bonuses.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of staff in each Department in Northern Ireland, including his Office, are  (a) under and  (b) over 55 years of age.

David Hanson: The following table details Northern Ireland Civil Service staff in post (permanent and casual) as recorded in the December Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the 11 Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office.
	
		
			   Age categories  
			  Department  Under 55 years  Aged 55 years and over  Total 
			 DARD 3,625 533 4,158 
			 DCAL 395 49 444 
			 DE 603 93 696 
			 DETI 670 78 748 
			 DFP 2,869 437 3,306 
			 DEL 1,692 156 1,848 
			 DHSSPS 885 153 1,038 
			 DOE 2,554 210 2,764 
			 DRD 3,926 796 4,722 
			 DSD 7,814 432 8,246 
			 OFMDFM 332 39 371 
			 NIO 1,833 212 2,045 
			 Total 27,198 3,188 30,386

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people over the age of 55 years have been recruited into each Northern Ireland Department, including his Office, in each of the last three years.

David Hanson: The number of people over the age of 55 years recruited into each Northern Ireland Department in each of the last three years is detailed in the following table:
	
		
			  Department  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  Total 
			 DARD 9 5 8 22 
			 DE 1 — 2 3 
			 DETI 1 2 — 3 
			 DFP 5 8 7 20 
			 DHSSPS 3 4 3 10 
			 DOE 1 1 4 6 
			 DRD 4 3 4 11 
			 NIO 4 4 1 9 
			 DCAL — 2 — 2 
			 DSD — — — — 
			 OFMDFM — — — — 
			 DEL — — — — 
			 Total 28 29 29 86

Departmental Travel

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much each Department under his authority spent on travel expenses in each of the past five years.

David Hanson: The following table provides a breakdown of the costs for each financial year from 2001-02 to 2005-06 for the 11 core NICS Departments and the Northern Ireland Office.
	Costs include all travel by standard mileage rate, public transport rate, air, rail, sea, bus and cycle travel. Figures also include car parking, passenger and equipment allowances.
	
		
			  Travel costs by financial year 
			  £ 
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 DARD(1) 3,144,327.44 2,631,764.34 3,183,046.83 3,220,450.96 3,080,000.00 
			 DCAL 138,737.00 125,820.00 94,912.00 85,006.00 95,121.81 
			 DE 410,744.58 389,922.89 420,634.88 404,826.70 385,227.44 
			 DEL 675,859.00 730,847.00 730,951.00 792,316.00 589,426.00 
			 DFP 850,128.00 871,469.00 769,208.00 838,055.00 914,079.00 
			 DHSSPS 444,509.00 438,984.00 521,337.00 467,161.00 436,569.00 
			 DSD 193,239.81 184,327.26 237,876.01 271,347.87 184,186.59 
			 OFMDFM 514,099.53 591,976.99 385,243.49 364,494.23 280,614.09 
			 DETI 1,099,968.99 394,951.54 386,164.43 389,030.27 342,701.77 
			 NIO 1,299,549.00 1,474,632.00 1,463,167.00 1,359,458.00 1,627,323.00 
			 DRD 185,461.00 188,145.00 156,195.00 153,596.00 144,172.00 
			 DOE 139,706.00 171,344.00 198,612.00 191,316.00 232,902.00 
			 (1) The 2005-06 figures are the latest draft costs. It is not anticipated however that any significant changes will occur. Approximately 85 per cent. of DARD's travel expenditure is in relation to mileage. DARD employs a large number of professional staff (e.g. veterinary surgeons, agricultural inspectors) whose duties require them to travel within rural communities.

Deprivation

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the population in each Northern Ireland  (a) constituency and  (b) council area has been assessed as living in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland in each of the past five years.

David Hanson: The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005 reports detailed levels of deprivation in small areas throughout Northern Ireland. The following tables give the percentage of the population in each  (a) parliamentary constituency and each  (b) local government district who live in the most deprived small areas in Northern Ireland.
	As these figures are derived from a specific research project, figures for previous years are not available
	
		
			  Table 1: Percentage of population in each parliamentary constituency living in the most deprived areas in Northern Ireland 
			  Parliamentary constituency  Percentage 
			 Belfast, West 79 
			 Belfast, North 60 
			 Foyle 46 
			 West Tyrone 31 
			 Belfast, East 23 
			 Newry and Armagh 23 
			 Belfast, South 19 
			 Upper Bann 18 
			 East Londonderry 13 
			 East Antrim 8 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 8 
			 North Antrim 8 
			 Mid-Ulster 7 
			 South Down 6 
			 South Antrim 4 
			 Lagan Valley 4 
			 Strangford 4 
			 North Down 2 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Percentage of population in each local government district living in the most deprived areas in Northern Ireland 
			  Local government district  Percentage 
			 Strabane 54 
			 Belfast 48 
			 Derry 46 
			 Newry and Mourne 25 
			 Craigavon 23 
			 Limavady 17 
			 Lisburn 16 
			 Newtownabbey 13 
			 Omagh 13 
			 Moyle 13 
			 Cookstown 11 
			 Coleraine 10 
			 Ballymena 10 
			 Dungannon 9 
			 Fermanagh 9 
			 Larne 8 
			 Carrickfergus 8 
			 Armagh 7 
			 Antrim 6 
			 Down 6 
			 Castlereagh 5 
			 Ards 3 
			 North Down 3 
			 Magherafelt 1 
			 Ballymoney 1 
			 Banbridge 0

Farming

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers in Northern Ireland are registered as  (a) dairy farmers,  (b) beef farmers and  (c) mixed farmers; and how many were registered in (i) 2003-04 and (ii) 2004-05.

David Cairns: Farmers are not registered in Northern Ireland by the type of farming they practise. Rather, farms are classified for statistical purposes as belonging to one of several standard types. Information on the number of farms in relevant categories, and for the most recent three-year period available, is presented in the following table:
	
		
			  Farm type  2003  2004  2005 
			 Dairy 4,425 4,201 4,058 
			 LFA Cattle and Sheep 15,700 15,464 15,430 
			 Lowland Cattle and Sheep 4,589 4,565 4,619 
			 Mixed 1,058 1,034 944

Finucane Inquiry

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane in line with the terms recommended by Judge Cory.

Peter Hain: The Government announced in September 2004 that steps would be taken to facilitate the establishment of an inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane with all the powers and resources necessary to fulfil its task. The Government are clear that an inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005 meets the requirements set out by Judge Cory in his report into Patrick Finucane's death.

Freedom of Information

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate how many  (a) health Department and  (b) NHS personnel in the Province are employed on processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Paul Goggins: Four staff in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and 30 staff in health and personal social services bodies are involved in processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In addition, in order to respond to particular requests for information, these staff are assisted, as appropriate, by staff from across the Department or the health and personal social services bodies. Information is not available on the amount of time spent on processing freedom of information requests but it represents only a small proportion of the total working time of the staff involved.

Hillsborough Castle

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total budget has been for maintenance of the grounds and buildings of Hillsborough Castle in each year since 1998.

Peter Hain: In addition to providing overnight accommodation for myself, the facilities at Hillsborough Castle are also used to provide official hospitality and overnight accommodation for members of the Royal Family, visiting dignitaries and diplomats. Other activities at the Castle include departmental meetings, the annual Garden Party and citizenship ceremonies. In addition to its use by the Northern Ireland Office and other Government Departments, charities and local community groups can request to use the facilities, generally for fundraising purposes, and the Castle and grounds are open at certain times of the year for guided tours. We are able to provide only figures for the last five financial years; these figures include the cost of gardening staff, and major and minor works projects, in addition to routine maintenance.
	
		
			   Costs (£) 
			 2005-06 675,883.37 
			 2004-05 455,229.05 
			 2003-04 286,461.28 
			 2002-03 363,196.87 
			 2001-02 307,779.74

ICT Sector

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Department for Employment and Learning has spent on training in information and communication technology (ICT) skills in each of the past five years; what measures the Government are taking to encourage graduates to work in the ICT sector; and if he will establish a dedicated fund to encourage growth in the ICT sector.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Employment and Learning spent the following on training on information and communication technology skills in the past five years:
	
		
			  Total ICT funding 
			   Amount (£) 
			 2004-05 17,122,478 
			 2003-04 21,154,350 
			 2002-03 19,613,027 
			 2001-02 9,509,116 
			 2000-01 9,881,950 
			 Total 77,280,921 
		
	
	The vast majority of the funds spent (£70,337,817 from the academic year 2000/01 to 2004/05) is in respect of further education. The remainder comprises Management Development (£6,669,954) and Sectoral Development (£273,150). These figures exclude funding to universities for ICT courses. The Department provides a recurrent grant but it is the institutions themselves which allocate funding to subject areas.
	The Department funds foundation degrees and other higher education courses delivered in the further education sector in order to encourage students to enter the ICT sector at intermediate level.
	In implementing its Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland, the Department places importance on determining the skills needs of each sector. E-Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the IT industry, has carried out research into employer needs, supply and demand and emerging gaps and this analysis of skills gaps has been published. The Department has also commissioned E-Skills to carry out an additional specialist project which specifically focuses on the demand for graduates in the industry. Also Invest Northern Ireland has been jointly involved with the Department in providing projections of the number of graduates likely to be needed for forthcoming emerging employment opportunities.
	Alongside this research, the Department in co-operation with the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges and local employers, is developing a short-term course for graduates from a variety of disciplines to enable them to avail themselves of increasing employment opportunities in the ICT sector. This will provide an immediate response to the ICT sector employers' concerns, while longer term need is determined.
	There are no plans to establish a dedicated fund to encourage growth in the ICT sector. Invest Northern Ireland already encourages the growth of the sector through a programme of support for indigenous companies and through foreign direct investment. In addition to this individual company support, Invest Northern Ireland also undertakes a number of sector specific initiatives to ensure the continued development of the ICT sector in Northern Ireland.

Local Community Funding

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which areas of Northern Ireland will receive local community funding during 2006-07; and how much each area has been awarded.

David Hanson: I recently announced that the local community fund was to be relaunched. The fund will spend £4 million over the next two years in the 11 per cent.-20 per cent. most disadvantaged communities as measured by the Noble Index 2005. The Department for Social Development is currently finalising the targeted areas and allocations for 2006-08 and hopes to be able to make a further announcement in July.

Local Government Finance

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much general grant was received by each local authority in Northern Ireland in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

David Cairns: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  General grant payments: 2005-06 
			  £ 
			  District Council  Derating  Resources  Total 
			 Antrim 932,068 0 932,068 
			 Ards 793,767 1,255,948 2,049,715 
			 Armagh 661,165 1,783,504 2,444,669 
			 Ballymena 1,127,190 0 1,127,190 
			 Ballymoney 336,514 1,052,084 1,388,598 
			 Banbridge 473,803 953,758 1,427,561 
			 Belfast 6,409,131 0 6,409,131 
			 Carrickfergus 563,951 264,650 828,601 
			 Castlereagh 700,433 0 700,433 
			 Coleraine 518,886 0 518,886 
			 Cookstown 688,837 972,907 1,661,744 
			 Craigavon 2,337,536 0 2,337,536 
			 Derry 1,315,836 1,276,683 2,592,519 
			 Down 457,780 1,683,189 2,140,969 
			 Dungannon 1,379,379 930,916 2,310,295 
			 Fermanagh 776,276 1,437,935 2,214,211 
			 Larne 481,641 24,202 505,843 
			 Limavady 206,182 1,308,476 1,514,658 
			 Lisburn 1,742,336 0 1,742,336 
			 Magherafelt 611,462 1,466,528 2,077,990 
			 Moyle 158,900 585,645 744,545 
			 Newry and  Mourne 1,094,799 2,043,239 3,138,038 
			 Newtownabbey 1,534,687 0 1,534,687 
			 North Down 476,077 0 476,077 
			 Omagh 528,960 1,407,084 1,936,044 
			 Strabane 344,959 2,050,252 2,395,211 
			 Total(1) 26,652,555 20,497,000 47,149,555 
			 (1) In addition to the above figure shown for Newtownabbey borough council, an amount of £29,108 was paid by way of a finalisation payment for the 1999-2000 financial year.

Long-Term Care

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people in Northern Ireland who have had to sell their family homes in order to provide funds for long-term care in each year since proceedings in the case of Pamela Coughlan  v. the NHS were completed.

Paul Goggins: The Department does not collect information on the numbers of people who sell their homes to realise the funds required to pay for long-term care and has not made an estimate of such house sales for each year since the judgment in the case of R.  v. North and East Devon health authority ex parte Pamela Coughlan was handed down by the Court of Appeal in July 1999.

Long-Term Care

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will bring forward amending legislation to end the requirement on those who enter long-term care to sell their family home in order to fund such care.

Paul Goggins: There is no legal requirement for those entering long-term care to sell a family home to fund their care. Following an individual financial assessment to calculate how much each individual can afford to pay towards the cost of their care, it is entirely a matter for each individual and their advisors to decide how best to meet any charges. Current Northern Ireland legislation provides a 12-week disregard of the value of a residents home following permanent admission to a care home. I am not, however, proposing to promote amending legislation to exclude totally the value of a resident's family home from the assessment of each individual's resources.

Long-term Unemployed

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are defined as long-term unemployed, broken down by  (a) parliamentary constituency and  (b) district council area; and what measures the Department for Employment and Learning has in place to encourage long-term unemployed people to return to education.

Maria Eagle: The number and percentage of long-term unemployed from the claimant count in April 2006, broken down by  (a) parliamentary constituency and  (b) district council area, are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  (a) Parliamentary constituencies 
			   Number of long-term unemployed claimants  Long-term unemployed claimants as a percentage of total claimants 
			 Belfast East 175 16.0 
			 Belfast North 520 23.4 
			 Belfast South 260 18.8 
			 Belfast West 820 26.6 
			 East Antrim 250 18.2 
			 East Londonderry 330 20.0 
			 Fermanagh and  South Tyrone 345 27.5 
			 Foyle 690 20.1 
			 Lagan Valley 160 17.3 
			 Mid Ulster 165 19.2 
			 Newry and Armagh 340 24.4 
			 North Antrim 250 16.7 
			 North Down 175 17.1 
			 South Antrim 215 18.6 
			 South Down 290 22.4 
			 Strangford 285 24.9 
			 Upper Bann 185 14.7 
			 West Tyrone 470 25.1 
			 Northern Ireland 5,925 21.2 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) District councils 
			   Number of long-term unemployed claimants  Long-term unemployed claimants as a percentage of total claimants 
			 Antrim 100 17.1 
			 Ards 240 24.6 
			 Armagh 115 20.7 
			 Ballymena 140 18.3 
			 Ballymoney 50 12.2 
			 Banbridge 55 16.0 
			 Belfast 1,565 22.9 
			 Carrickfergus 75 14.5 
			 Castlereagh 90 16.1 
			 Coleraine 210 20.1 
			 Cookstown 70 18.0 
			 Craigavon 150 14.3 
			 Derry 690 20.1 
			 Down 205 22.1 
			 Dungannon 90 19.5 
			 Fermanagh 275 30.5 
			 Larne 70 17.9 
			 Limavady 125 19.7 
			 Lisburn 305 21.5 
			 Magherafelt 75 20.5 
			 Moyle 60 18.7 
			 Newry and Mourne 325 25.9 
			 Newtownabbey 220 21.2 
			 North Down 155 17.6 
			 Omagh 185 25.6 
			 Strabane 285 24.7 
			 Northern Ireland 5,925 21.2 
		
	
	The Department for Employment and Learning has introduced a number of policies and initiatives in the further and higher education sectors, to widen access and increase adult participation in vocational education and training; the target group includes the long term unemployed.
	These measures include an expansion of courses for those returning to learning; the allocation of additional funding to support provision from non-statutory providers and support measures to provide help to students who are deterred from enrolling in further education because of financial hardship or other difficulties. In 2005-06 this support to students totalled over £2.5 million. There is also an entitlement to free professional and technical courses, for all full-time students, aged 19 and over.
	Within higher education, the Department has set a target of progressing year on year towards fair access to HE by 2008. The Widening Participation Strategy has included the setting of an annual target to increase representation of people from lower socio-economic classifications.
	The Department also provides a number of targeted programmes to assist those who are out of work move towards, and return to the labour market. This includes a suite of new deal programmes where eligible participants may access short accredited training courses or three units of a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). The purpose of this provision is designed to assist people find jobs and help them stay and progress in employment through training and work experience.

Neighbourhood Partnerships

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which consultants have been selected to assist with the visioning and action plans for Neighbourhood Partnerships.

David Hanson: MacBride International was successful in winning the contract to provide consultancy support to seven Neighbourhood Partnerships to assist them with their vision and action planning process.

Noise Nuisance

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints were made about noise levels to each district and borough council in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and on how many occasions each council took steps to reduce the noise level.

David Cairns: District council noise complaint statistics have been collected by the Department of the Environment since 2004, therefore only two years of data is currently available.
	In 2003-04, district councils received a total of 8,397 complaints about noise. During the same period a total of 307 noise abatement notices were issued and seven prosecutions were taken by council officers.
	In 2004-05 the number of noise complaints received by councils totalled 10,047. During the same period a total of 340 noise abatement notices and 17 prosecutions were taken by council officers.
	A breakdown of the statistics by district council is contained in an annual report published by the Department. The reports for 2003-04 and 2004-05 can be accessed on the Environment and Heritage service's website at http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/environment/noise/noisestats.shtml The report for 2005-06 is presently being compiled and will be published by 31 August 2006. Copies of this report will be placed in the Library.

PSNI

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have been injured as a result of gunshot wounds while policing parades in Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years.

Paul Goggins: The PSNI advises that while figures can be provided on the number of police officers injured in shooting incidents, it is not possible to specify if the injury was sustained as a result of policing a parade. The overall figures for the number of officers receiving gunshot wounds are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 1996 4 
			 1997 7 
			 1998 1 
			 1999 0 
			 2000 0 
			 2001 2 
			 2002 1 
			 2003 2 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 0 
			  Note: 2005 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.

Public Bodies (Funding)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was allocated to the  (a) Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission,  (b) Northern Ireland Equality Commission,  (c) Northern Ireland Parades Commission and  (d) Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in each year since the inception of each.

David Hanson: For the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, this financial information can be found in the Cabinet Office annual publications "Public Bodies 1999 to 2005", all of which can be accessed online at: www.civilservice.gov.uk/other/agencies/public_bodies/index.asp "Public Bodies 2006" is in preparation and will be published later this year.
	Since its inception, similar information for the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland has appeared in its annual reports, copies of which are held in the Library. From 2005, it has also been published in Cabinet Office's "Public Bodies".
	Information for all four bodies for 2004-07 are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Government funding 
			  Public body/NDPB  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Equality Commission for Northern Ireland 6,779,490 6,806,000 6,515,000 
			 Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission 0,970,000 1,450,000 1,475,000 
			 Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland 7,150,000 7,636,000 7,923,000 
			 Parades Commission for Northern Ireland 1,154,000 1,273,000 1,335,500

Renewable Energy

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the energy consumed by each Northern Ireland Department came from renewable sources in the last 12 months.

David Hanson: In the year ending 31 March 2005 (the last complete year for which data is available) the amount of electricity coming from renewable sources consumed by Northern Ireland Departments was as follows:
	
		
			  Department  Percentage 
			 Agriculture and Rural Development 2.79 
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure 0 
			 Education 8.41 
			 Enterprise, Trade and Investment 6.94 
			 Environment 12.73 
			 Finance and Personnel 15.87 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 13.83 
			 Regional Development 12.55 
			 Social Development 14.61 
		
	
	The table does not include the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister or the Department for Employment and Learning as these Departments are accommodated in buildings shared with other Departments.

Road Safety

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he  (a) is taking and  (b) plans to take to increase the seatbelt-wearing rate in Northern Ireland over the next five years.

David Cairns: The Department of the Environment already develops seatbelt campaigns, supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, to ensure that all vehicle occupants are aware of the need to wear seat belts. The Department's Road Safety Education Officers provide teaching resources, training and support and liaise with teachers in all schools in Northern Ireland to ensure that children are encouraged to wear seatbelts.
	Measures planned to increase the seatbelt wearing rate in Northern Ireland are:
	New primary road traffic legislation on which the Department has consulted will be introduced in due course. This includes making the failure to wear seatbelts an endorsable offence.
	Consultations have taken place on Directive 2003/20/EC, including proposals to require seatbelt wearing on buses and coaches where they are fitted and the use of child restraints in cars and goods vehicles. The Department plans to make an announcement on the way forward over the next few weeks.
	A new publicity campaign highlighting the dangers of not wearing seatbelts is planned for September.

Special Scientific Interest Areas

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are in place for visits by Environment and Heritage Service officials to ensure that areas of special scientific interest in private ownership are not being compromised.

David Cairns: The Department of the Environment has a statutory responsibility to ensure that areas of special scientific interest (ASSIs) are afforded protection from damage and that they are managed in a manner that will secure their scientific interest. Accordingly, in normal circumstances, EHS conducts one integrity monitoring visit annually and one condition monitoring visit every six years. If a breach of legislation is suspected, entry onto the land will be required immediately.

Restorative Justice

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of plans for the introduction of community-based restorative justice schemes.

David Hanson: I refer the hon. Member to my statement on community-based restorative justice made on 25 May 2006,  Official Report, column 98WS.

Staff Surveys

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1605W, on staff surveys, for what reason the number of staff surveys conducted in Northern Ireland Departments increased between 2003-04 and 2005-06.

David Hanson: The following table details the increase in staff surveys undertaken by the 11 core NICS Departments and the Northern Ireland Office between the financial years 2003-04 and 2005-06.
	There is no single reason for the increase in staff survey numbers. There is no set number of surveys that Departments are required to carry out in any given year. The increase in surveys reflects the growing focus on measuring internal service provision, staff communication, workplace health and working toward best practice in people management.
	
		
			  Department  Increase in surveys between 2003-04 and 2005-06 
			 DARD 1 
			 DCAL (1)— 
			 DE 1 
			 DEL 4 
			 DETI 7 
			 DFP 4 
			 DHSSPS (1)— 
			 DOE (2)— 
			 DRD 4 
			 DSD 4 
			 NIO 3 
			 (1) Overall reduction of one. (2) No surveys undertaken.

Stormont

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has  (a) to restore,  (b) to catalogue and  (c) to make information available about the historic artefacts associated with the Stormont Estate not on public view.

David Hanson: The artefacts are the responsibility of the NI Assembly. None are in need of restoration. A catalogue of the artefacts is available from the Office of the Keeper.

Stormont

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the  (a) safety and  (b) quality of the storage of the historic artefacts associated with the Stormont Estate; and what assessment he has made of the need for specialist conservation of such material.

David Hanson: The majority of artefacts belonging to the Assembly are safely stored in the artefact's store in Parliament Buildings. The remaining artefacts are safely stored in DFP stores in Belfast. Specialist conservation is not required for any of these artefacts.

Stormont

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to return the historic artefacts associated with the Stormont Estate to Parliament Buildings.

David Hanson: The majority of the historic artefacts are already stored in Parliament Buildings. There are currently no plans to return remaining artefacts to Parliament Buildings.

Stormont

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland where the historic artefacts associated with the Stormont Estate are stored; and whether they can be loaned to museums.

David Hanson: The majority of items are kept in the artefact's store, Parliament Buildings and the remaining items are stored at DFP stores in Belfast. Any request from a museum to borrow an artefact would be given due consideration.

Stormont

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a catalogue for visitors of artefacts kept on the Stormont Estate.

David Hanson: There are currently no plans to publish a catalogue of artefacts kept on the Stormont Estate however a catalogue of Parliament Buildings artefacts is available from the Office of the Keeper.

Theft

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convictions there were in Northern Ireland in connection with theft from retail outlets in  (a) 1995 and  (b) 2005.

David Hanson: The number of convictions for shoplifting is included in the table. Data for 2003 are the most up-to-date available at present. It should be noted that data are collated on the principal offence rule, thus only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Convictions for shoplifting offences 
			   Number 
			 1995 950 
			 2003 600

Winter Fuel Payments

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pensioners received winter fuel payments in  (a) East,  (b) South,  (c) West and  (d) North Belfast in each of the last two years for which figures are available.

David Hanson: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of winter fuel payments 
			  Parliamentary constituency  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Belfast East 17,593 17,334 
			 Belfast North 16,725 16,212 
			 Belfast South 15,540 15,276 
			 Belfast West 12,601 12,424

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

County Court Judgments

Mark Todd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2006,  Official Report, column 732W, on county court judgment records, what advice was  (a) sought and  (b) received on the commercial implications of the existing provision of services in relation to the register of judgments orders and fines of the county court.

Harriet Harman: No such advice has been sought or received. However, independent advice was sought and received in 2004 on the Department's procurement options, the associated risks, the timing of any competition and what it must do to prepare for one.

Departmental Annual Report

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what research her Department  (a) has undertaken and  (b) plans to undertake into the reasons for the slippage against Target 5, Measure 1 set out on page 134 of the departmental annual report (Cm 6820); and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: This particular component of the shared target with the Home Office measures the time taken to remove detained, non-suspensive claimants whose applications have been certified as clearly unfounded and whose appeal rights against the refusal to grant asylum can only be brought from outside the United Kingdom once removal has taken place.
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) of the Home Office has confirmed that a dedicated resource is in place to analyse the quality and timeliness of the non-suspensive appeal (NSA) process and to address issues and difficulties that arise within the process.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many electors were registered in each constituency in the year  (a) before and  (b) after single signatures for registration were introduced.

David Hanson: I have been asked to reply.
	The table shows the number of people registered to vote in each Westminster constituency in Northern Ireland in the years 2001 and 2002, either side of the introduction of individual registration in 2002.
	The significant drop in the numbers registering was largely due to the fact that pre-2002 voters were given a year's grace before their names were removed if they did not re-register. The Electoral Fraud Act 2002, which introduced individual registration, was also successful in eradicating duplicate entries and phantom names on previous registers. The register used for the May 2005 general election showed a total number of 1,148,486 people registered.
	
		
			  Electorate figures in 2001 and 2002 
			  Constituency  30 November 2001  1 December 2002 
			 Belfast East 58,049 50,929 
			 Belfast North 59,653 49,937 
			 Belfast South 59,036 49,349 
			 Belfast West 58,901 48,153 
			 East Antrim 61,092 54,569 
			 East Londonderry 60,921 55,466 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 67,846 63,010 
			 Foyle 71,252 62,801 
			 Lagan Valley 73,027 65,939 
			 Mid Ulster 62,490 58,810 
			 Newry and Armagh 73,600 66,802 
			 North Antrim 75,635 69,728 
			 North Down 63,649 56,606 
			 South Antrim 70,926 62,349 
			 South Down 74,935 68,317 
			 Strangford 72,751 65,558 
			 Upper Bann 73,594 67,595 
			 West Tyrone 61,147 56,507 
			 Total 1,198,504 1,072,425

Homes (Repossession)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many court orders have been issued for the repossession of homes in each London borough in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The following table shows the number of mortgage possession orders made in all London county courts in the last five years.
	These figures do not indicate how many houses have been repossessed through the courts, since not all the orders will have resulted in the issue and execution of warrants of possession.
	The civil procedure rules state that all claims for the repossession of land must be commenced in the district in which the land is situated. However, county courts' jurisdictions are not coterminous with London borough boundaries, and therefore any single court's repossession actions are likely to relate to homes in a number of different boroughs.
	
		
			  Number of mortgage( 1)  possession orders made in county courts( 2)  in London, 2001-05 
			  Possession orders made( 3) 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Barnet 66 100 97 143 302 
			 Bow 176 248 295 456 817 
			 Brentford 110 113 124 189 290 
			 Bromley 103 161 235 271 486 
			 Central London 43 88 101 162 281 
			 Clerkenwell 31 35 59 78 132 
			 Croydon 257 254 338 394 644 
			 Edmonton 176 206 228 285 553 
			 Ilford 105 115 93 219 309 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 58 58 91 94 165 
			 Lambeth 117 160 195 311 533 
			 Mayors and City 1 1 0 2 0 
			 Romford 111 118 179 211 445 
			 Shoreditch 48 80 113 155 225 
			 Uxbridge 108 100 98 149 227 
			 Wandsworth 96 100 135 187 295 
			 West London 40 40 64 79 150 
			 Willesden 155 147 236 255 459 
			 Woolwich 53 96 96 181 348 
			 Greater London total 1,854 2,220 2,777 3,821 6,661 
			 (1) Local authority and private  (2) Does not include the small number of possession actions entered in the High Court.  (3) The court, following a judicial hearing, may grant an order for possession immediately. This entitles the claimant to apply for a warrant to have the defendant evicted. However, even where a warrant for possession is issued, the parties can still negotiate a compromise to prevent eviction.

John Muhia

Clare Short: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the case of John Muhia (Home Office ref. M746233) is subject to reconsideration; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The asylum appeal of Mr. John Muhia is listed for reconsideration by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) on 3 July 2006.

Looked-after Children

David Kidney: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she plans to take to ensure  (a) the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report on Care of Young People and  (b) regular inspections of services for looked-after children in the Isle of Man.

Harriet Harman: The Inquiry Report on Care of Young People on the Isle of Man and the regular inspections of service there, are for the authorities in the Isle of Man.

Magistrates (Retirement)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the retirement age is for magistrates.

Harriet Harman: The retirement age for magistrates is 70, with two exceptions. First, if a magistrate is a chairman of the bench when he or she reaches 70, he or she need not retire until the year as chairman has ended. Second, if a magistrate is adjudicating in a case which is in progress on the day he/she reaches 70, the Lord Chief Justice may, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, direct that the magistrate need not retire until the case has ended.

Staff Absenteeism

Danny Alexander: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many working days were lost to her Department and its executive agencies in each year since 1997 due to staff absenteeism, expressed as the average annual number of absent days per employee; and what the estimated total cost to her Department and its agencies of absenteeism was in each year.

Vera Baird: The Department records the average number of sickness absence days per employee each year, and these are published annually by the Cabinet Office in the annual "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" report. The figures that follow are extracted from data held by the DCA for 1997 and 1998, and from the Cabinet Office annual reports, which can be found for the years 1999 to 2004 on the Civil Service website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/occupational health/publications/index.asp
	
		
			   Days per employee  Cost (£ million) 
			 1997 10.7 8.2 
			 1998 10.1 7.9 
			 1999 10.0 7.9 
			 2000 10.0 8.1 
			 2001 8.9 7.8 
			 2002 8.4 8.0 
			 2003 9.1 9.7 
			 2004 8.7 10.6

HOME DEPARTMENT

Mini-motorbikes

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to tackle antisocial behaviour involving motor vehicles, with particular reference to mini-motorbikes.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to tackle illegal and antisocial behaviour involving unlicensed mini-motorbikes and motorbikes.

Tony McNulty: The Government are aware of the problems associated with motorbike misuse, in particular miniature motorbikes. There is now a range of tools and powers in place to deal effectively with this problem and we are actively encouraging their use.
	These specific powers enable immediate action to be taken against antisocial riders, ensuring that communities do not have to suffer prolonged misery caused by the antisocial use of mini-motorbikes.
	The Home Office is producing a guidance document to help practitioners.

Violent Crime

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of conviction rates in cases involving violent crime.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In 2004, 55 per cent. of those violent offences proceeded against resulted in a conviction. There were 93,735 violent offences that were proceeded against in 2004, of which 51,415 resulted in a defendant being found guilty.

Occasional Sales

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Kent County Council Act 2001 and Medway Council Act 2001 on occasional sales.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Report on the Kent Acts concluded that advance notice of occasional sales was helpful in planning operational activity. We will be seeking further evidence from police forces, local authorities and others when we consult on whether the regulatory aspects of the Kent Acts have wider application.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress with introducing safer neighbourhood teams.

Tony McNulty: By April 2007, neighbourhood policing will have been introduced to every community in England and Wales, delivering increased patrolling and visibility, and ensuring that local officers are more accessible to local people. Every community will have its own dedicated neighbourhood policing team by April 2008.

Police

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet representatives of the Essex Police Authority to discuss the future of the police service in Essex.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, has made it clear that he believes the establishment of strategic police forces through the merger of existing police areas is the basis for a reformed, fully effective police service in the future and in particular is the necessary step to enhance the stability of local neighbourhood policing. To that end, I recently met Lord Hannington, Chair of Essex county council to discuss the issues for the Essex area. I can assure you that there is no question of any intent to ride roughshod over concerns raised and I welcome a meeting with representatives from Essex Police Authority.

Police

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the merger of local police forces.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, has made it clear that he believes the establishment of strategic police forces through the merger of existing police areas is the basis for a reformed, fully effective police service in the future and in particular is the necessary step to enhance the stability of local neighbourhood policing. To that end, my right hon. Friend recently met the Chair of the Cleveland Police Authority to discuss the issues for the Cleveland area.

Police

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made by police officers in each year since 1997; and what the average number of arrests per police officer was in each year.

Tony McNulty: Information on persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences) can be found in Table AA of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin Arrests for Recorded Crime (Notifiable Offences) and the Operation of Certain Police Powers under PACE, England and Wales which is available on the Research and Development Statistics website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pubs stastistical. Copies are also available in the Library.

Police

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police recruits have been  (a) disciplined and  (b) dismissed during their period of training in each police force in each of the past five years; and what percentage this represents of the total number of recruits in each year.

Tony McNulty: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Police

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for judicial review of his decisions on the amalgamation of police forces have been made; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: West Mercia and Cleveland police authorities have made applications for judicial review on the Home Secretary's announced intentions. An application has also been received from West Midlands councils. We are of course disappointed with the authorities' and councils' decision to go down the path of judicial review. We encourage them to use the opportunity for continued dialogue that has just been announced. Beyond that, it would not be appropriate to comment further on a matter that is before the courts.

Foreign Criminals

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign criminals are detained in immigration detention centres; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: As of 10 June 2006 there were 450 detainees accommodated within immigration removal centres who are recorded as having previously served a term of imprisonment.

Foreign Criminals

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign national prisoners originally released without consideration for deportation were subsequently deported in the last five years.

Liam Byrne: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and his predecessor have provided regular statistical updates to the House on the number of cases where foreign national prisoners were released without proper deportation consideration. In particular I refer the hon. Gentleman to the most recent written ministerial statements of 15 and 23 May 2006. We will continue to update the House on the 1,019 cases as we work through them and urgently recheck the information we hold to ensure that any further information we provide to the House is as accurate as possible. We aim to provide a further update by the end of June.

Neighbourhood Policing Schemes

Andrew Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing schemes.

Tony McNulty: Earlier this year we published research evidence that showed that neighbourhood policing can deliver significant improvements in crime reduction, perceptions of crime and antisocial behaviour, feelings of safety and public confidence in the police. (The National Reassurance Policing ProgrammeHome Office research findings number 272.)
	In the trial, the reduction in the number of victims of crime was twice as high, and public confidence in the police increased five times as much in the wards with neighbourhood policing activity compared with similar wards without.

Police Cells

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the availability of police cells of the appropriate standard to detain suspects prior to court appearance.

Tony McNulty: Section 35 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 requires that the chief officer for each police area shall designate the police stations in his or her area which shall be used for the purposes of detaining arrested persons. It is the duty of the chief officer to designate police stations appearing to him or her to provide enough accommodation for that purpose.

Offending Rates

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce offending; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government have taken positive action to reduce offending. Our strategy includes tackling drug misuse, focusing on prolific and other priority offenders and reducing re-offending. Our vision for reducing re-offending is set out in the five-year strategy for protecting the public and reducing re-offending published in February.

Adult Learners Week

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees of his Department attended events during the 2006 Adult Learners Week.

Liam Byrne: 1,368 Home Office employees attended events during the 2006 Adult Learners Week. This comprised 333 staff from the core non agency, non IND Home Office and 1,035 from IND.

Antisocial Behaviour

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps he plans to take to ensure that local authorities monitor and act on public concerns over antisocial behaviour;
	(2)  if he will take steps to make local authorities more accountable to communities when responding to persistent antisocial behaviour and community safety problems.

Tony McNulty: A key element of the Government's respect programme is to ensure that all communities see and expect a robust response to antisocial behaviour. We have introduced the necessary tools and powers and expect local authorities to use them where appropriate. This Government have introduced a mandatory antisocial behaviour and respect outcome to all local area agreements (LAAs) to ensure that local authorities monitor and act on public concerns over antisocial behaviour. From April 2007 all areas will be covered by such an agreement. The respect programme is also about empowering the public to hold their leaders to account and have their say about the issues that matter most to them. We will ensure that senior representatives of all crime and disorder reduction partnerships hold regular 'face the people' sessions to promote greater accountability and visibility in local services. The Government are committed to introducing a 'community call for action', a power that will give local communities a formal way to request and ensure that action is taken by the police, local authorities and others in response to persistent antisocial behaviour or community safety problems, where action is not already being taken.

Antisocial Behaviour

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many antisocial behaviour orders were applied for by  (a) each local authority,  (b) the police,  (c) social landlords and  (d) housing action trusts in Dudley since 1 April 1999;
	(2)  how many  (a) criminal antisocial behaviour orders and  (b) antisocial behaviour orders have been secured by courts in (i) Dudley and (ii) the West Midlands since the introduction of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Tony McNulty: From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) data were collected by aggregate numbers only by police force area. Since 1 June 2000, from copies of the orders received, we are able to determine the type of applicant for ASBOs issued on application. The number of ASBOs issued on application, as reported to the Home Office by the Courts Service, from 1 June 2000 to 30 September 2005 (latest available), wherein restrictions are imposed in the local government authority area of Dudley metropolitan borough council (MBC) is 15. All were applied for by Dudley MBC.
	The Police Reform Act 2002 gave authority to the courts, from 1 December 2002, to issue ASBOs, in addition to the sentence, following conviction of a criminal offence. The available information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service, by area and type, from 1 December 2002( 1)  to 30 September 2005 (latest available) 
			  Number 
			   On application  On conviction  Total 
			 West Midlands 113 340 453 
			  Of which:
			 Dudley MBC 11 15 26 
			 (1 )Prior to this date ASBOs could be issued at the magistrates court on application only. The Police Reform Act (2002) gave authority to the Crown court and the magistrates court to issue an ASBO following conviction for a criminal offence. For comparison purposes all data given in this table are for the period 1 December 2002 to  30 September 2005.

Antisocial Behaviour

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to publicise action taken to tackle antisocial behaviour to members of the public in Dudley.

Tony McNulty: The respect programme places the emphasis on local agencies to use the tools and powers they have been given to tackle antisocial behaviour and its causes. The Government are determined that people should be confident that their local agencies will respond appropriately to antisocial behaviour. The roll-out Neighbourhood Policing teams and the increase in the number of Police Community Support Officers mean that there are more resources than ever before on the streets to make this happen. This, coupled with new and existing powers, will mean that there is no excuse for inaction.
	Through the Respect Academy programme, we are also outlining clearly how important communications, accountability and visibility are for public services in tackling antisocial behaviour. Getting the public to make demands on local agencies for action on antisocial behaviour and disrespect is an important part of sustaining these changes. It is essential that the public feel empowered to play their part in tackling antisocial behaviour through greater awareness of the powers available to them and their local agencies. We want to encourage people to come forward, complain and take a stand. The Respect Taking A Stand awards and action days held nationwide will continue to stimulate public debate about acceptable behaviour and inform antisocial behaviour practitioners about local activities. We will also ensure that public services can be held to account and deliver on local priorities by introducing regular and systematic face the people briefing sessions, involving senior representation from the police and local authorities. Dudley metropolitan borough council (MBC) has taken a number of steps to ensure that action to tackle antisocial behaviour is well publicised throughout the borough. Dudley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) publishes and distributes two quarterly newsletters, Dudley Together and Home Affairs to all households and tenants. The local press also publicises details of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) and dispersal notices and most Dudley MBC Neighbourhood Managers hold local community safety forums to inform the community about initiatives and on-going action to reduce antisocial behaviour.

Antisocial Behaviour

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people who have been made subject to an antisocial behaviour order were in receipt of housing benefit when the order was imposed.

Tony McNulty: Information collected centrally for statistical purposes does not identify if an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) recipient is in receipt of housing benefit.

Asylum/Immigration

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) suicides and  (b) incidents of self-harm there have been in each immigration holding, reception and removal centre in each of the past five years.

Liam Byrne: I am advised that there have been two deaths in the immigration removal estate in the last five years where the Coroner has recorded a verdict of suicide, at Haslar on 31 January 2003 and at Dungavel on 23 July 2004. We await the Coroner's verdict in a further five cases of apparently self-inflicted death. Details of these are:19 July 2004 at Harmondsworth, 7 November 2004 at Colnbrook, 27 June 2005 at Campsfield House, 15 September 2005 at Yarl's Wood, 19 January 2006 at Harmondsworth. Figures for self-harm incidents for 2004-05, 2005-06 and for April 2006 are reproduced as follows. No figures for are available for periods before this.
	
		
			  Immigration Removal Centre  Number of individuals on formal self-harm at risk  Number of incidents of self-harm requiring medical treatment 
			  1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005   
			 Campsfield House 33 19 
			 Colnbrook (opened August 2004) 95 34 
			 Dover 72 28 
			 Dungavel 127 1 
			 Harmondsworth 192 39 
			 Haslar 44 8 
			 Lindholme 24 2 
			 Oakington 57 15 
			 Tinsley House 91 8 
			 Yarl's Wood 123 7 
			
			  1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006   
			 Campsfield House 40 19 
			 Colnbrook 718 91 
			 Dover 91 28 
			 Dungavel 110 0 
			 Harmondsworth 482 40 
			 Haslar 36 2 
			 Lindholme 11 4 
			 Oakington 75 17 
			 Tinsley House 47 3 
			 Yarl's Wood 196 27 
			
			  1 April 2006 to 30 April 2006   
			 Campsfield House 1 0 
			 Colnbrook 78 8 
			 Dover 5 4 
			 Dungavel 5 0 
			 Harmondsworth 48 0 
			 Haslar 2 0 
			 Lindholme 0 0 
			 Oakington 5 2 
			 Tinsley House 4 1 
			 Yarl's Wood 39 5

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who have been detained and subsequently granted temporary release have absconded in each of the past five years.

Liam Byrne: This information could be published only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum/Immigration

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate has been made of the number of asylum seekers who have been  (a) refused asylum and  (b) removed from the United Kingdom in each year since 1999; and if he will make a statement

Liam Byrne: Information on the refusal and removal of asylum seekers is published quarterly and annually. Copies are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office research development and statistics directorate website at http://homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were found at each of the main ports of entry to the United Kingdom in each year since 1998; and how many were found in total in each year.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum/Immigration

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much compensation was paid out to asylum seekers by the Government in each of the past five years.

Liam Byrne: Compensation paid by the immigration and nationality directorate to asylum seekers is not separately identifiable from the total of compensation paid to all members of the public.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation he has made of the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition technology on the detection and prevention of crime.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office has made 32.5 million capital funding available to the Police Service over a two-year period (2005-07) for the development of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). This investment addresses the fight against serious and organised crime, terrorism, volume crime and road traffic offending.
	The Home Office has commissioned an independent evaluation of the national roll out of ANPR that is due for publication shortly. The report covers a period when ANPR is being mainstreamed in all police forces within England and Wales. The evaluation is expected to show that benefits have accrued as forces gain experience of operating ANPR in conjunction with the National Intelligence Model to target the detection and prevention of crime. Evidence from the previous 'Project Laser' pilot evaluations concluded that officers involved in ANPR achieve more arrests and contribute more offences brought to justice than those involved in general policing.
	The ANPR Evaluation Report is due for publication in July 2006 and will be circulated to ANPR stakeholders and a copy will be placed on the Home Office website. (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk)

Biological Diversity

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Minister in his Department is responsible for monitoring his Department's compliance with its duty under section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to have regard to the purpose of conserving biological diversity in carrying out its functions; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office has taken a number of steps to benefit biodiversity. A national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) has been introduced across the public sector operated prisons estate, primarily an overarching document covering its designated sites, which encompass seven SSSIs, one NNR and RAMSAR site and a site within a National Park (HMP Dartmoor). There are now six individual designated sites which have their own BAPs, a further 11 locally biodiversity significant sites also have BAPs and a pilot scheme for eight inner-city/urban BAPs is being implemented. Further plans are now being incorporated that will see biodiversity management plans rolled out across the remaining public sector prison estate.
	As well as a BAP network the public sector Prison Service has in place a Statement of Commitment for biodiversity and a Statement of Action for biodiversity which were signed by the director general Phil Weatley in March 2003. Also supporting this the Prison Service has set up a strategic biodiversity group which involves a central partnership incorporating representatives from English Nature, the Wildlife Trusts, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
	In support of this work the Prison Service has carried out biological surveys at 21 biodiversity significant sites to identify local flora and fauna for action. The service has now put in place over 43 habitat and species action plans involving over 20 separate lead partners.
	In recognition of the work that has been carried out on the prison estate operated by the public sector, in 2005 the Prison Service won the Liveable City award for biodiversity. The Sustainable Development Commission has commended these examples of biodiversity good practice.

Biological Diversity

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department plans to take to monitor the extent to which public bodies which report to him comply, from October, with their duty to conserve biodiversity in exercising their functions, under section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

Liam Byrne: DEFRA is working with a wide range of partners to develop guidance for public bodies to support the implementation of this duty and will involve all relevant Departments on the development of guidance.

British Citizens (Overseas Convictions)

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British citizens convicted of imprisonable offences abroad were deported back to the UK in  (a) 2003,  (b) 2004 and  (c) 2005.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 12 June 2006
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate does not hold any records on the number of people convicted of imprisonable offences abroad who have been deported back to the UK. Anyone encountered by the Immigration Service being deported back to the UK is referred to the police.

Community Support Officers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers have been recruited in  (a) Gloucestershire and  (b) Stroud in each year since the scheme was introduced.

Tony McNulty: The following table gives details of the number of police community support officers (PCSOs) recruited by the Gloucestershire Constabulary in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Information for 2005-06 is currently being collected and validated. Recruitment information is available only at force level. The table also shows the number of PCSOs employed by the force and for the Cotswold and Stroud Division, of which Stroud is part.
	
		
			  Police community support officers in Gloucestershire and Cotswold and Stroud Division( 1) 
			Number of PCSOs 
			  As at 31 March  Number of PCSOs recruited  Gloucestershire  Cotswold and Stroud Division 
			 2002-03 nil nil (2) 
			 2003-04 51 54 (2) 
			 2004-05 21 72 (3)19 
			 2005-06 (4) 62 (2) 
			 (1) Police community support officers were introduced in 2002-03 by the Police Reform Act 2002. (2 )Not available. (3) Data on PCSOs in basic command units is collected annually and was collected for the first time in 2005 and is the position on 30 June. (4) Not currently available.

Community Support Officers

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers there are in Lancashire.

Tony McNulty: As at 30 September 2005, there are 159 community support officers in Lancashire. The latest published figures may be found in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Police Service Strength 30 September 2005. This is available on http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/hosb0106.pdf.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter to his predecessor dated 10 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, about Mr. Hamed Siddiqi.

Liam Byrne: The immigration and nationality directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 24 February 2006.

Departmental Budget

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the budget for his Department remained unspent in the 2005-06 financial year.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office is still finalising its 2005-06 outturn against budget. The provisional position will be reported in the 'Provisional Outturn White Paper' which will be published prior to the summer recess in July.

Departmental Cleaning

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies have contracts for cleaning his Department's premises, broken down by building.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally. Cleaning most of the Department's premises is contracted out, the main exception being the prison estate where cleaning is generally the responsibility of inmates. Central records of cleaning contracts are not held. The companies listed at annex A have significant contracts for cleaning Home Office premises, either direct with the Home Office or as subcontractors. This information is not available broken down by building and excludes some specialist and smaller contractors and subcontractors.
	 Annex A: Cleaning contractor (in alphabetical order)
	Cambridge Industrial and Commercial Cleaners Ltd.
	Carylse Cleaning and Support Services
	Ecovert FM Ltd.
	IES Environmental Solutions Ltd.
	ISS Facilities Services Ltd.
	Lancaster Office Cleaning
	Mitie Cleaning Services
	Monthind Ltd.
	Ideal Cleaning Services
	Office Cleaning Services
	PRP Decontamination Ltd.
	Rentokil Initial UK Cleaning
	Tech Clean Services Ltd.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of  (a) staff away days and  (b) staff team building exercises in his Department in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: Information is not collected centrally on the cost of staff away days and team building exercises in the Department.

Departmental Staff

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) sickness and  (b) staff turnover rates were in (i) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (ii) the National Asylum Support Service in each year since 2001.

Liam Byrne: The rates for sickness absence for both IND as a whole and the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), as recorded on the central computer database, are provided in Table 1. The staff turnover rate for IND is provided in Table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Sickness absence rates 
			   IND Sickness (percentage)  NASS Sickness (percentage) 
			 2005 4.51 5.16 
			 2004 4.66 5.69 
			 2003 4.50 5.41 
			 2002 4.41 4.64 
			 2001 4.15 4.93 
			  Notes: This percentage rate is calculated from the number of working days lost per person against possible working days in the year. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Turnover Rates for IND 
			   IND turnover (percentage) 
			 2005 5.98 
			 2004 5.28 
			 2003 5.04 
			 2002 6.01 
			 2001 12.63 
			  Note: The figure for 2005 does not include staff leaving IND to go to posts in the central Home Office.

Departmental Staff

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) whole-time equivalent and  (b) temporary staff there are in (i) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (ii) the National Asylum Support Service in each (A) region and (B) country; and how many there were in each category in each year since 2001.

Liam Byrne: The figures for  (a) whole-time equivalent staff and  (b) temporary staff in IND and the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), as at 31 March in each year, are provided in the table attached. These are provided by region from 2003 for permanent staff and from 2005 for temporary staff. Detailed figures for 2001 and 2002 and the requested breakdown by county are not available.
	
		
			  IND 
			   2003  2004  2004  2006 
			   FTE  Temp staff  FTE  Temp staff  FTE  Temp staff  FTE  Temp staff 
			 Croydon 5190  5463  4987 891 5142 1164 
			 Eastern 390  430  321 12 336 36 
			 Midlands 255  386  353 21 442 33 
			 North East 983  1390  1845 89 1942 0 
			 North West 1373  1580  1753 73 1824 124 
			 Scotland 166  200  253 7 260 20 
			 South East excluding Croydon 3308  4019  3591 78 3740 64 
			 South West 90  112  56 1 101 4 
			 Wales 44  77  92 4 90 5 
			 London 834  814  1355 207 1331 89 
			 Northern Ireland 11  12  13 1 15 5 
			 Overseas 18 0 49 2 
			 Other 50 48 7 184 
			 Total 12644 1457 14483 1220 14687 1432 15279 1730 
		
	
	
		
			  NASS 
			   2003  2004  2004  2006 
			   FTE  Temp staff  FTE  Temp staff  FTE  Temp staff  FTE  Temp staff 
			 Croydon 706  661  599 157 441 167 
			 Eastern 0  29  27 0 23 4 
			 Midlands 4  37  44 10 82 4 
			 North East 10  9  93 4 104 8 
			 North West 6  44  33 34 65 10 
			 Scotland 1  32  2 33 37 2 
			 South East excluding Croydon 0  22  28 1 33 1 
			 South West 2  18  2 8 24 0 
			 Wales 2  24  11 18 20 0 
			 London   31  20 2 6 2 
			 Northern Ireland 0 0 1 0 
			 Overseas 0 0 0 0 
			 Other 4 2 1 1 
			 Total 731 372 907 302 863 269 837 198

Domestic Violence

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many domestic violence incidents dealt with by police in the past five years involved disputes regarding child contact.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Domestic Violence

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many domestic violence incidents dealt with by police in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) Luton and  (c) Bedfordshire in the past five years the children concerned were on the child protection register.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Equatorial Guinea

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what stage the investigations by the Metropolitan police anti-terrorist branch into the attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea and the involvement of Greg Wales, David Tremain, Eli Calil and others has reached.

John Reid: The conduct of any criminal investigation is a matter for the police. It is the Government's policy not to comment on such matters.

Home Detention Curfews

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners released on home detention curfew have been recalled to prison in each year since 1999, broken down by reason for recall.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information on the number of persons recalled to prison from home detention curfew between 1999 and 2004, by reason for recall, can be found in table 10.7 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 17/05: Offender Management Caseload Statistics, England and Wales, 2004. Copies of this publication can be found in the House of Commons Library.

Human Trafficking

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional safeguards he will put in place relating to trafficked children in the Action Plan for Tackling Human Trafficking.

Vernon Coaker: The Government are currently considering the responses to its consultation on its proposal to publish a National Action Plan for Tackling Human Trafficking. A summary report of responses will be published on 21 June 2006. Whilst a range of views were presented on tackling issues around child trafficking, the Government will fully consider these responses before it decides whether additional safeguards to protect trafficked children are needed. It aims to produce a final UK Action Plan later this year, after further discussions with stakeholders and other Government Departments and agencies, in order to build upon the proposals for action set out in the consultation paper.

Human Trafficking

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) crisis centres and  (b) safe houses there are in England and Wales where child victims of trafficking can find refuge.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 15 June 2006
	We are not aware of there being any safe houses specifically for accommodating victims of child trafficking. However, there are accommodation facilities in many locations that will cater for children in need who it is believed may have been trafficked. Planning for children's services is carried out on a locality basis throughout the UK. It is the statutory duty of local authorities under the 1989 Children Act to ensure that safe arrangements are in place to look after individual children at risk, including children from abroad.
	It is also the responsibility of the local authority to assess any risk of harm and to arrange for the provision of a suitable range of accommodation for all the children in their area. Any lone child in the UK in contact with any statutory or child welfare agency will be urgently referred to the appropriate local authority. The Home Office National Asylum Support Service (NASS) reimburses local authorities who receive unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) into their care with a total of 140 million p.a. Partnership plans to provide safer arrangements for children who have been trafficked are being incorporated in a Home Office/DfES joint review of how local authorities accommodate children from abroad.
	The review will aim to deliver improvements by ensuring UASCs are placed in local authority areas where specialist services are in placeincluding local authority social workers who can recognise and deal appropriately with UASCs who may have been trafficked to the UK. The review is also designed to increase specialisation, end inconsistencies in treatment and enable the retention and development of expertise.

Illegal Immigration

George Mudie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2006,  Official Report, column 737W, on illegal immigration, what charges were imposed on the air and sea carriers; which carriers were charged; and what penalties were imposed on the carriers.

Liam Byrne: Under section 40 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (as amended by the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002), air and sea carriers are liable to a fixed charge of 2,000 for each inadequately documented passenger brought to the UK. In 2005, 2,472 charges were imposed on 157 different carriers. I am unable to disclose details of individual carriers for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) posts,  (b) full-time equivalent posts and  (c) vacant posts there were at each civil service grade in the immigration and nationality directorate on the most recent date for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Table: Staff breakdown by headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE) 
			  Grade  Headcount  FTE 
			 Senior Civil Servant 45 45 
			 Grade 6 99 98 
			 Grade 7 387 374 
			 Senior Executive Officer (includes  accountants) 641 616 
			 Her Majesty's Inspector (Immigration  Officer grade) 220 212 
			 Higher Executive Officer (fast stream) 21 21 
			 Higher Executive Officer 1585 1521 
			 Chief Immigration Officer 847 813 
			 Immigration Officer 3562 3439 
			 Executive Officer 2831 2683 
			 Administrative Officer 3725 3499 
			 Assistant Immigration Officer 659 635 
			 Administrative Assistant 2087 1927 
			 Personal Secretaries (all typists) 198 187 
			 Support Grade 494 483 
			 Other (includes statisticians etc) 663 660 
			 Total 1,8064 1,7213.00 
			  Notes: 1.Other includes various, (e.g. research and statistical grades), as well as staff whose grade is not recorded. 2. FTE figures rounded to the nearest whole number.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Lin Homer was appointed director general of the immigration and nationality directorate; where the application for the job vacancy was advertised; how many applications were received for the position; and who made the final decision on the successful candidate.

Liam Byrne: Lin Homer was appointed as director general of the immigration and nationality directorate on 27 May 2005 and took up post on 1 August 2005. The post was advertised in the national press including The Sunday Telegraph, The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. It was also advertised on the Home Office jobs database and the civil service recruitment gateway. There were 40 applicants who responded to the advertisement. The appointment was approved by the Prime Minister with the agreement of the Home Secretary, on the recommendation of the head of the home civil service.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what standard checks are made by the immigration and nationality directorate on its employees' right to work.

Liam Byrne: A range of pre-appointment checks are conducted for prospective employees including nationality and residence verification, immigration record checks and national security vetting.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many joint meetings between the officials of the immigration and nationality directorate and Jobcentre Plus have taken place over the past five years.

Liam Byrne: Officials, at a variety of levels and locations, in the immigration and nationality directorate meet with their counterparts in Jobcentre Plus on a regular basis. There is no central record of the number or content of these meetings so it is not possible to state how many have taken place over the Past five years.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of staff at the immigration and nationality directorate have been found not to have valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 June 2006
	The Department's records show that one member of staff of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate was detected as not having valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom in 2004.

Invest to Save

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to meet  (a) officials of local authorities and  (b) other stakeholders in receipt of Invest to Save funding to discuss future funding of current projects when initial Home Office financing ends; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 8 June 2006
	My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has no current plans to visit any Invest to Save Budget (ISB) projects or to make a statement. However, he strongly supports the objectives of the ISB programme to create sustainable improvements in the capacity to deliver public services in a more joined-up manner. An example of a project that has continued to receive funding from the Home Office is the joint working pilot between the National Missing Persons Helpline and the Metropolitan police from ISB round four.

Knife Crime

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reduce the incidence of knife crime in Peterborough constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: On 24 May, working closely with ACPO, we launched the first nationwide knife amnesty in 10 years. Cambridgeshire Police are participating in this amnesty, which provides an opportunity for the safe disposal of unwanted knives and sharp instruments. The amnesty highlights the dangers of carrying knives particularly to young people. The amnesty runs until the end of June, following which police will undertake robust enforcement as well as educational and other programmes.
	The Violent Crime Reduction Bill, currently before Parliament, includes measures to reduce knife crime, including the introduction of a new offence of using someone to mind a weapon; raising the age at which someone can be sold a knife from 16 to 18; and providing powers for head teachers to search pupils for weapons. We are also working closely with community organisations, providing support through the Connected Fund for gun, knife and gang related projects and supporting organisations such as Be Safe, which runs a programme of education for young people on the risks of carrying knives.

Mosques

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to support mosques in preventing their use by extreme fringe groups.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 6 June 2006
	A public consultation on taking powers to intervene in places of worship threatened by extremist activity concluded that self regulation was usually effective. Government have provided encouragement and support to the creation of a Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board. It is expected to be launched in late June.

National Asylum Support Service

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) properties and  (b) bed spaces are available for use under National Asylum Support Service contracts, broken down by local authority; how many of these were (i) occupied and (ii) unoccupied at the end of March 2006; and what the mean cost was of each (A) bed space and (B) property as at the end of March 2006, broken down by local authority.

Liam Byrne: Under its new accommodation contracts the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) no longer procures or maintains properties or bed spaces.

Neighbourhood Charters

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that the neighbourhood charters will be delivered by service providers.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	As set out in the respect action plan, published in January 2006, we want to give every area the chance to have a neighbourhood charter. We intend to set out further detail about this in the Local Government White Paper.

Paladin Recommendations

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in implementing the Paladin recommendations proposed by the Metropolitan Police in 2003, with particular reference to the issue of unaccompanied minors entering the UK through London Heathrow.

Liam Byrne: Since publication of the report we have made significant progress. In particular the immigration and nationality directorate's (IND) children's taskforce is tackling a number of the recommendations. These include:
	the provision of guidance to staff on identifying and dealing with children in need;
	developing processes for working with other agencies on child protection issues;
	the provision of specialist training for IND staff;
	identifying ways to improve information received from abroad, child protection officers are now based at Heathrow airport and both child protection officers and social service staff are based at the Croydon asylum screening unit to ensure a more joined up approach.

Parliamentary Questions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to questions by the hon. Member for Selly Oak  (a) 23089, tabled on 25 October, on identity cards, and  (b) 20867, tabled on 18 October, on passports.

Joan Ryan: I answered my right hon. Friend the Member for Selly Oak's question in relation to passports (20867) on 27 February 2006,  Official Report, column 95W. her question in relation to identity cards (23089) was answered on 16 May 2006,  Official Report, column 829W.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to question 63206, tabled by the hon. Member for Isle of Wight on 29 March 2006.

Liam Byrne: I replied to the hon. Member on 6 June 2006,  Official Report, column 268W.

Police Information

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what guidance was in operation in 1994 regarding the storage and destruction of information by police forces relating to detected crimes;
	(2)  under what circumstances police forces may destroy historic information relating to detected crimes;
	(3)  what guidance he has issued on the length of time that data collected by police forces relating to detected crimes should be held before being destroyed.

Tony McNulty: No central guidance was in operation in 1994 concerning the storage and destruction of information relating to detected crimes. Forces were, however, subject to the relevant legislation that was in place at that time and may have issued their own internal guidance. A Code of Practice on the Management of Police Information (MOPI) was published in July 2005 and came into effect in November 2005. This requires police information to be periodically reviewed and consideration given to its disposal or retention in line with criteria set out in guidance. Guidance to accompany the Code of Practice, agreed with the Information Commissioner, was published in March 2006. This requires that information be deleted where there is no longer a policing purpose for retaining it, i.e. it is no longer necessary; it is no longer adequate or up to date; or it is excessive or not proportionate to the risk.
	The guidance states that all records will normally be held for a minimum of six years, but lists a number of issues that forces should consider when deciding whether to retain records for longer. The MOP guidance states that historical datawhich it defines as anything recorded prior to the date that the guidance came into effectmust be reviewed when the subject of a record comes to police attention, and that resources dedicated to reviewing other historical records should focus on information relating to certain public protection matters.
	Retention of information must also be in line with relevant legislation including the Human Rights Act 1998, the Data Protection Act 1998, the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Prisons

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been held in crowded conditions in each month since November 2004; and what percentage of the total prisoner population this represents in each case.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The table shows the number of prisoners and the percentage of the total prisoner population held in crowded conditions in England and Wales, since November 2004.
	
		
			  Number of prisoners that have been held in crowded conditions in each month since November 2004 and the percentage of the total prisoner population this represents in each case 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 November 2004 18,418 24.5 
			 December 20 04 17,343 23.7 
			 January 2005 17,169 23.1 
			 February 2005 18,420 24.4 
			 March 2005 17,778 23.7 
			 April 2005 18,211 24.3 
			 May 2005 18,143 23.8 
			 June 2005 18,044 23.7 
			 July 2005 18,600 24.3 
			 August 2005 18,369 23.9 
			 September 2005 18,536 24.0 
			 October 2005 19,099 24.6 
			 November 2005 18,588 24.0 
			 December 2005 17,146 23.1 
			 January 2006 17,900 23.6 
			 February 2006 18,086 23.6 
			 March 2006 18,199 23.6 
			 April 2006 18,210 23.7 
			 May 2006 18,874 24.3

Prisons

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the prison population has been in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information on the number of prisoners held in prison establishments from 1994 to 2004 can be found in table 8.1 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 17/05: Offender Management Caseload Statistics, England and Wales, 2004. Copies of this publication can be found in the House of Commons Library. The prison population on 30 June 2005 was 76,190.

Probation

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the  (a) number of staff and  (b) financial resources required to implement end to end offender management in the probation service; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We expect offender management to be resource-neutral over the long- term, with any costs balanced by savings arising from the benefits of the system. There will be start-up costs in 2006-07 and 2007-08, totalling some 8 million, before full-savings start to be seen. The costs translate into around 90 posts in 2006-07 and 120 in 2007-08.

Probation Hostels

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2005 to the hon. Member for Winchester,  Official Report, column 1506W, on probation hostels, how many places were available in probation hostels in England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many were occupied by high risk offenders on that date.

Gerry Sutcliffe: As at 28 February 2006, 2,163 bed spaces were available in generic approved premises, formerly bail and probation hotels. Of these, 1,256 were occupied by offenders who were assessed as high or very high risk of harm to the public. The figures do not include data for the newly opened prospects hostels which are a specialist resource for offenders with substance misuse problems.

Reoffending Target

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department is on track to meet its public service agreement target of reducing reoffending by five per cent. by 2006.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The latest formal assessment on progress is set out in the Home Office Autumn Performance Report 2005 (Cm 6707). Since this assessment juvenile reoffending results from 2004 have been made available. The report shows the reoffending rates within one year for juvenile offenders who receive pre-court disposals, non-custodial disposals and those released from custody in the first quarter of 2004. The results show a 3.8 per cent reduction in reoffending when compared with the same period in 1997 and a reduction of 1.4 per cent. when compared with 2000. The full results are available on line at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/hosb1006.pdf. The Government remain committed to reducing reoffending by 5 per cent. by 2006 and to further reductions in the future.

Shoplifting

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to promote collaboration between police forces in England and Wales and private security offices based in retail stores to help reduce incidents of shoplifting;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to reduce shoplifting in retail stores;
	(3)  how many people were  (a) arrested and  (b) convicted for shoplifting in the South Wales police area in each of the last two years.

Tony McNulty: Most recent figures held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of defendants found guilty of shoplifting in the South Wales police force area in 2003 and 2004 are 1,671 for 2003 and 1,712 in 2004. The information requested on arrests is not available centrally. There are a number of ways in which private security offices may engage with local police forces. Usually this is through active involvement with crime reduction partnerships, many of which are tailored specifically to address the needs of the business sector. The Home Office has supported the work of the British Retail Consortium in developing business crime reduction partnerships, and has provided over 900,000 of funding for them to set up and run the Action Against Business Crime (AABC) Group. This group provides central co-ordination and support for a national network of business crime reduction partnerships in town centres, shopping centres and industrial estates across England and Wales in their work to prevent business crime. The Home Office also encourages businesses to set up 'Business Watch' schemes in their area, or to consider involvement in the business improvement district (BID) scheme. There is an accredited Business Crime Partnership in the 'Safer Swansea' Community Safety Partnership. One of the first actions of the partnership was to set up a panel which included local businesses and independent members to consider whether those caught shoplifting should be banned from the city centre shopping area. The scheme has been successful and will be rolled out to other retail sites in the borough. Additionally, South Wales police have been actively promoting the ShopWatch scheme in Swansea, which encourages shop staff to train as special constables in their area of employment.

Stop and Search Records

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what  (a) computer systems and  (b) databases of the Metropolitan police stop and search records are maintained; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Commissioner is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the force. I will therefore redirect the hon. Lady's query to the Metropolitan Police Service.

Yarl's Wood Detention Centre

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much it cost to keep  (a) a child and  (b) a family of two adults and two children in Yarl's Wood detention centre for one week in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: Services at Yarl's Wood are provided by private contractors and as such the information requested is strictly commercial and confidential.

Zimbabwe

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when the 77 outstanding applications from Zimbabwe for indefinite leave to remain under the UK Ancestral Visa Route which have been awaiting the outcome of the recent fraud inquiry will be processed.
	(2)  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 12 applications from Zimbabwe for indefinite leave to remain under the UK Ancestral Visa route which have been refused were refused because of fraud.

Liam Byrne: I am advised that 52 applications for indefinite leave to remain under the UK Ancestral Visa route remain under consideration. Completion dates depend on the time required for proper and thorough scrutiny. Our database does not provide details of individual reasons why cases have been refused.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the number of people who are entitled to, but not receiving  (a) pension credit,  (b) income support,  (c) housing benefit,  (d) council tax benefit and  (e) other benefits; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for North Tyneside (Mr. Byers) on 3 March 2006,  Official Report, column 1034W.

Benefits

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the planned end-date is for the Benefit Processing Replacement Programme (Watch 2); and what the planned  (a) level and  (b) timetable of relevant capital expenditure is.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the current planned end date for the Benefits Processing Replacement Programme (WATCh2); and what is the planned level and timetable of relevant capital expenditure. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	A Departmental Investment Committee recently approved funding for the completion of the WATCh2 Projects and for the Benefits Processing Replacement Programme (BPRP) to develop its overall scope and delivery timetable by June 2006, having regard to overall business priorities including the impact of the recently announced Employment and Support Allowance.
	Furthermore an independent review has been commissioned by the Permanent Secretary to examine the Department's integrated programme. It is expected that recommendations from this review will influence the decision for further investment in BPRP. Until such work has been completed we are not in a position to confirm the overall BPRP delivery timeline, nor the planned level and timetable of relevant capital expenditure.

Benefits

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress is being made in improving processing times for disability benefit claims.

Anne McGuire: Processing times for disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) claims have improved steadily over the last four years. For DLA, it has gone from 42 working days in 2002-03, to 34.5 working days in 2005-06. For AA claims, it has gone from 24.2 working days in 2002-03 to 17.9 working days in 2005-06.
	The Disability and Carers Service has achieved this by identification, development and sharing of best practice, the continued exploitation of information technology, and the streamlining of business processes. This has secured continuous improvement in our service delivery to customers together with improved efficiency.
	The average processing time for incapacity benefit claims for the year ending March 2006 was 16.3 days, against a benchmark of 19 days. From April 2006, incapacity benefit processing times have been incorporated into a new Jobcentre Plus target covering processing times for incapacity benefit, jobseeker's allowance and income support. Performance for incapacity benefit in April 2006 was 17.3 days against a target of 18 days.
	Jobcentre Plus has a programme of work to improve the way that it processes all benefit claims. It is addressing variations in processing times in specific locations and taking action to clear backlogs.
	For industrial injuries disablement benefit, the Department aims to clear 90 per cent. of claims within 175 days. For the year ending March 2006, 96.1 per cent. of claims were processed within 175 days. In April 2006, 97.6 per cent of claims were processed within 175 days.

Benefits

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of  (a) the percentage of housing benefit claimants whose 2005-06 payment was higher than that for 2006-07 and  (b) the savings accrued to his Department from the changes.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Benefits

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of incapacity benefit recipients in  (a) Coventry, South and  (b) the West Midlands region had a full medical examination in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available.

Benefits

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to reply to the recommendations contained in the Work and Pensions Select Committee Report on Incapacity Benefits and Pathways to Work.

Jim Murphy: We intend to respond to Third Report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee session 2005-06 on Incapacity Benefits and Pathways to Work within two months of its publication in line with the Government's commitment on responses to Select Committee reports.

Biological Diversity

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department plans to take to monitor the extent to which public bodies which report to him comply, from October, with their duty to conserve biodiversity in exercising their functions, under section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

James Plaskitt: Under Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, all public bodies have a duty to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in the exercising of their functions. There is no statutory obligation on Departments to monitor the extent to which public bodies comply with this duty. However, we understand Defra is working with a wide range of partners to develop guidance for public bodies to support the implementation of this duty and will involve all relevant Departments on the development of guidance.

Building on the New Deal Programme

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent progress has taken place in the development of the building on new deal programme.

Jim Murphy: We are still considering the timing of implementation of the building on new deal pilots.

Child Poverty

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans the Government have to review the way they measure child poverty and those who qualify as the poorest within the category of families living below 60 per cent. of median income since publication of the most recent figures on child poverty.

Jim Murphy: Our long-term strategy to meet the child poverty target remains as set out in 'Opportunity for all' and in the Child Poverty Review, which was published alongside the 2004 Spending Review White Paper.
	A consultation around measuring child poverty was published in 'Measuring Child Poverty' in December 2003. This outlines the Government's measure of UK child poverty for the long term and will be used to measure progress against the 2010 target.
	This consists of:
	Absolute low incometo measure whether the poorest families are seeing their incomes rise in real terms;
	Relative low incometo measure whether the poorest families are keeping pace with the growth of incomes in the economy as a whole; and
	Material deprivation and low income combinedto provide a wider measure of people's living standards and includes a higher low-income threshold of 70 per cent. of median income.
	From next year, we will be collating those material deprivation figures. The material deprivation tier will not only give a wider measure of people's living standards, but it will also capture elements of persistent and severe poverty, as highlighted in the final conclusions of the child poverty consultation.
	We remain firmly committed to our challenging goals to halve and then eradicate child poverty, and we are not resting on our laurels. We are currently re-examining our strategy for meeting the 2010 target, including a reinforcement of our labour market policies, complemented by increases in tax credits, and further improvements in public services.
	All publications listed are available in the Library.

Child Support Agency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the current backlog is of child support cases waiting to be assessed.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Hilary Reynolds:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. Given that he is currently on leave, I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the current backlog is of child support cases waiting to be assessed.
	In March 2006, there were around 304,000 cases that had yet to receive an assessment or calculation.
	Please note that this number is different from the total number of cases waiting to be cleared, which stood at 333,000 in March 2006. This is because new scheme cases are only considered cleared when they have received a calculation and have a payment schedule in place. In March 2006, there were around 29,000 new scheme cases that had received a calculation, but were awaiting a payment schedule.
	Although the total volume of uncleared cases fell by 8% between January 2005 and March 2006, the Agency recognises that this remains unacceptably high. The Agency therefore has a 2006/07 target to ensure that, by March 2007, the volume of new scheme uncleared applications outstanding at March 2006 is reduced by 25%.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Child Support Agency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many applicants under the old Child Support Agency system have applied to be transferred to the new system;
	(2)  what the cost would be of transferring all applicants under the old child support system to the new system; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: There is no provision for applying for transfer from the old to the new child support schemes and for that reason information is not available. Legislation only allows transfer if a case has prescribed links to a new scheme application.
	The cost of transfer would depend on the volume of cases transferred, which in turn will be impacted by the date of transfer. This is because old scheme cases are continuously reducing in number as a result of both natural attrition and reactive (linked case) conversion.

Child Support Agency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many parents assessed under the old system of child support are still making payments to their children.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Hilary Reynolds:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. Given that he is currently on leave, I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many parents assessed under the old system of child support are still making payments to their children.
	The Agency records information in terms of cases rather parents. My answer is therefore provided on this basis.
	At the end of March 2006, there were 305,000 old scheme cases on the old computer system (CSCS) where a Full Maintenance Assessment had been carried out, and a positive maintenance liability had been established. Of these:
	Payment was received in 152,000 cases.
	A further 61,000 cases had a Maintenance Direct arrangement in place. This means that although the Agency has established the appropriate amount due, the non-resident parent will pay the parent with care directly, without the need for the Agency to collect money.
	In addition, there were 86,000 old scheme cases where a Full Maintenance Assessment had been carried out, and a positive maintenance liability had been established that were operating on the new computer system (CS2). Of these:
	Payment was received in 34,000 cases.
	A further 9,000 cases had a Maintenance Direct arrangement in place.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Child Support Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a further statement on progress towards overcoming the computer problems at the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested.
	 Letter from Hilary Reynolds:
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a further statement on progress towards overcoming the computer problems at the Child Support Agency.
	The new child support scheme was introduced on 3 March 2003. It has been well publicised that there has been a number of technical problems with the performance of the new computer system (CS2) from this date.
	A great deal of work has been carried out over recent years to improve the stability of the new computer system (CS2) and operational performance has improved to the point where contracted service levels are now consistently being met.
	We are making good progress to remedy the remaining problems with the new computer system and future IT releases are planned during 2006 and 2007 to resolve various system performance issues and build on the improvements already made. In addition there are a number of planned enhancements to the computer system that form part of the programme to implement the three-year Operational Improvement Plan.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-resident parents receiving benefits which the Child Support Agency has a claim against, are not paying the minimum payment required under the new scheme.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 12 June 2006
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Hilary Reynolds:
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-resident parents currently receiving benefits which the Child Support Agency has a claim against, are not paying the minimum payment required under the new scheme.
	The Agency records information in terms of cases rather parents. My answer is therefore provided on this basis.
	In order to obtain the benefit status of non-resident parents associated with new scheme cases, it has been necessary to match data from the Agency's administrative systems with data from the benefit records system administered by Jobcentre Plus. The latter set of administrative data is published quarterly, and the latest information available is for November 2005.
	At the end of November 2005, there were 70,000 new scheme cases involving a non-resident parent (NRP) in receipt of Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Incapacity Benefit in which maintenance was due. Of these, maintenance was not received from 38,000 cases.
	It should be noted that there are also a small number of Non Resident Parents (the number of which cannot be quantified) who receive other benefits against which the Agency has a claim; namelyRetirement Pension, Pension Credit, Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parents Allowance/Pension, Incapacity Benefit, Carer's Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Maternity Allowance, War Disablement or War Widows Pension, also certain training allowances. However, it is not possible to provide information on maintenance collected from these cases.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases remain to be transferred from the old scheme to the new scheme.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 12 June 2006
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Hilary Reynolds dated 19 June 2006:
	In reply to your recent parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. Given that he is currently on leave, I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Support Agency cases remain to be transferred from the old scheme to the new scheme.
	At the end of March 2006 there were 923,000 old scheme cases. There were 600,000 cases on the old computer system (CSCS). There are 322,000 cases on the new computer system (CS2); these are cases that have been reactively migrated due to being linked to the new scheme cases.
	Of those old scheme cases that had been reactively migrated from the old system to the new system, we estimate that around 41,000 cases had relevant links to the new scheme cases and have now been converted. We estimate that a further 48,000 cases also have relevant links and are currently awaiting conversion.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Child Support Agency

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Child Support Agency is able to require mobile telephone companies to make known the addresses of parents not paying child support.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 13 June 2006
	Client address details held by mobile phone companies are classed as 'communications data' under the Regulations of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and can only be disclosed to an authorised body within this legislation and in relation to a specific statutory purpose. The Child Support Agency is not a RIPA authorised body and is therefore unable to request such information.

Consultants

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the companies which were paid consultancy fees by his Department in 2005-06; how much each was paid; and what each of the companies was used to accomplish.

Jim Murphy: A list of companies and the total expenditure on consultancy fees paid by the Department in 2005-06 will be available in July 2006. However, the Department is unable to provide details of each individual engagement the company was used for without a clerical examination of all records and this would incur disproportionate costs.

Correspondence

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department will respond to the letter of 12 August 2005 to the office at Cotlands Road, Bournemouth about Mrs. M. Hind.

James Plaskitt: A reply was given to the hon. Member on 15 May 2006.

Departmental Computer Security

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the security of chip and PIN access to his Department's computer systems; and how many breaches of that security there have been since its introduction.

Jim Murphy: The Department does not offer a Chip and PIN service for access to the Department's computer systems. The term Chip and PIN is normally used in the context of high street retail purchases.
	Payments made to citizens via post offices can be made using a Chip and PIN capability, but this is managed by a third party.
	Access to internal departmental systems is controlled using a desktop smartcard infrastructure which is a completely separate device to that used to enable citizen payments. The DWP security incident recording database records details of incidents investigated by DWP. There are no incidents recorded where the Chip and PIN security has been compromised.

Disabled Job Seekers

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what help is available to disabled job seekers from disability employment advisers and other Jobcentre Plus staff relating to job application forms.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what help is available to disabled job seekers from disability employment advisers and other Jobcentre Plus staff relating to job application forms. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Any disabled customer having difficulties in filling in an application form can ask their adviser for assistance. If the adviser is unavailable someone else will be found to assist the customer.
	If appropriate, advisers can refer customers to New Deal for Disabled People Job Brokers or to Programme Centres which offer help tailored to participants' individual needs. Programme Centre provision is designed to help participants improve their jobsearch skills and increase their chances of finding a job. This can include help with letters of application, application forms, CV preparation, preparation for interviews and mock interviews. Job Brokers can provide similar assistance.
	I hope this is helpful.

Free Television Licences

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on the provision of free television licences for over 75-year-olds in each of the last five years.

James Purnell: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			   Expenditure ( million) 
			 2001-02 368 
			 2002-03 385 
			 2003-04 410 
			 2004-05 435 
			 2005-06 461 
			  Notes:  1. These are UK figures.  2. Figures are the amounts paid to the BBC and exclude administration costs.  3. Figures rounded to the nearest million pounds.   Source:  DWP Resource Account.

Job Outcome Targeting

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the introduction of job outcome targeting.

Jim Murphy: A new Job Outcome Target was introduced for Jobcentre Plus from 10 April 2006 replacing the previous Job Entry Target.
	This target was announced in a Written Ministerial Statement on 30 March 2006 and detail of the new Job Outcome Target is contained in the Jobcentre Plus Business Plan which was placed in the House of Commons Library on 30 March 2006.

Jobcentre Plus

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what audits have been conducted to evaluate the accessibility of JobCentre Plus premises for disabled people at  (a) Burslem and  (b) Hanley offices; and when such audits were undertaken.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to my hon. Friend.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what audits have been conducted to evaluate the accessibility of Jobcentre Plus premises for disabled people at Burslem and Hanley offices; and when such audits were undertaken. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	As part of the process to convert Jobcentres to Jobcentre Plus offices an 'accessibility evaluation' is carried out when we consider the design of the office. When planning a new office or new layout, we take full account of the Disability Discrimination Act and ensure any recommendations, such as ramps or automatic doors, are built into the final design of the office. All of our new, purpose built offices comply with building regulations that cover all access issues.
	We carried out audits at Cannon Street, Hanley and Burslem Jobcentres in December 2003 following the creation of Jobcentre Plus, Any adjustments recommended at that time were considered alongside our roll out plans for conversion to Jobcentre Plus offices, taking into account the Disability Discrimination Act requirements. We completed an audit at our office in Stafford Street, Hanley in June 1999 and all resulting recommendations were implemented.
	As you know, our office in Stafford Street, Hanley is to become a Benefit Delivery Centre and will not be open to the public. The Jobcentres in Cannon Street, Hanley and Burslem are due to close when our new purpose built Jobcentre Plus office in Huntbach Street, Hanley opens in 2007.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentre Plus

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how Jobcentre Plus handles the requirements of jobseekers who have difficulty in using the telephone.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how Jobcentre Plus handles the requirements of jobseekers who have difficulty in using the telephone. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	As part of our service modernisation we encourage all new claims to be made over the telephone. However we recognise this is not suitable for everyone. We have put alternative arrangements in place, including a face-to-face interview at the local Jobcentre, or a home visit if this is more appropriate.
	Additionally, we can arrange for a third party/nominated advocate to represent the customer on the telephone. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, a Textphone/Minicom service is available, or we can arrange for a British sign language interpreter to be present at a face to face interview.
	These alternative arrangements are set out in our leaflet, 'Jobcentre Plus?Our Service Standards', a copy of which is enclosed.
	All Jobcentre Plus staff should receive diversity and equality training and this ensures that they are aware of these options.
	Jobcentre Plus is about to commission a programme of research to look at whether certain groups, such as customers with specific physical and/or learning difficulties have problems making contact. The results of this research will be available by early summer 2007.
	I hope this is helpful.

New Deal for 50 Plus

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on recent changes in the financing of the New Deal for 50 Plus scheme; and what assessment he has made of levels of participation in the scheme since the changes were introduced.

Jim Murphy: Since its introduction in April 2000, the only significant change that has occurred to New Deal 50 plus funding was in April 2003 when the New Deal 50 plus Employment Credit, paid by Jobcentre Plus, was replaced by the 50 plus element of the Working Tax Credit, paid by H.M. Revenue and Customs. Incorporating the in-work incentive for over- 50s into the tax credit system ensured that those households on the lowest income received the most support, rather than flat-rate payments being made regardless of personal circumstances.
	Until March 2003, Employment Credit payments formed the bulk of the New Deal 50 plus programme spend, together with the New Deal 50 plus in-work Training Grant. In 2003-04 the programme spend for New Deal 50 plus still included the remaining Employment Credit payments but, by the 2004-05 financial year, all the New Deal 50 plus Employment Credit starts had completed and all that remained was the spend on the training grant.
	Centrally recorded data on starts to the New Deal 50 plus programme are only available from January 2004 onwards. Information before this is not available as the data were not centrally held.
	From the start of the programme to February 2006, New Deal 50 plus has been successful in helping more than 150,000 people into jobs.

Parental Support

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the potential cost savings which would result from reducing the maximum age of the youngest child entitling lone parents to receive income support to  (a) 15,  (b) 14,  (c) 13,  (d) 12 and  (e) 11 years in each financial year from 2005-06 to 2009-10.

Jim Murphy: Information is not available from which to make such an estimate.

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to Question 63316 from the hon. Member for Portsmouth South, tabled on 29 March 2006, on Post Office Card Accounts.

James Plaskitt: A reply was given to the hon. Member on 12 June 2006,  Official Report, column 922W.

Pathways to Work

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average size of the caseload for personal advisers will be once Pathways to Work is fully rolled out.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 13 June 2006
	The information requested is not available.
	Personal adviser caseloads vary according to the adviser's knowledge and experience of advisory work and the client group. Therefore decisions about an indicial Adviser's caseload can only be decided at local level.
	We want to ensure Pathways to Work advisers focus their efforts on helping and supporting people on incapacity benefits into work. Managers in current Pathways to Work pilot areas regularly monitor adviser caseloads to ensure they are manageable and enable customers to maximise their work opportunities. This will continue when Pathways is rolled out nationally.

Pathways to Work

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will break down by main budget heading the 360 million annual cost to roll-out Pathways to Work.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 13 June 2006
	The 360 million is to cover a range of welfare reforms as set out in the Green Paper, primarily Pathways to Work. We are committed to rolling out Pathways to Work across the country by 2008. We will also seek to ensure our proposals deliver the service in innovative and more cost-effective ways as we roll out to the rest of the country, learning from the experience of Jobcentre Plus and the private and voluntary sector. We are currently working through the specific detail of the funding plans for Pathways, which we will share more widely in due course.

Pension Credit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners he estimates were entitled to pension credit in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05 and  (c) 2005-06; how many were receiving the pension credit in each year; how many (i) are entitled to and (ii) are receiving the credit in 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The information is not available in the format requested. Information that is available is as follows.
	Table 1 contains estimates of eligibility in 2003-04 and 2004-05 and projected estimates of eligibility in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of pensioners estimated to be eligible for pension credit 
			   Numbers eligible (million) 
			 2003-04 3.8 to 4.3 
			 2004-05 3.7 to 4.2 
			 2005-06 3.8 to 4.3 
			 2006-07 3.8 to 4.3 
			  Notes:  1. Estimates of the numbers eligible are given as ranges in order to account for possible biases inherent in estimates from data that is less than perfect. They also take account of the effects of sampling variation.  2. Estimates cover all those aged 60 and over in the private household population of Great Britain. The data source is the Family Resources Survey.  3. As pension credit was introduced mid-way through 2003-04, estimates of the numbers entitled in 2003-04 are only based on six months' data, and should therefore be treated with caution.  4. For the purposes of this analysis, the unit of analysis is the benefit unit. This is either a single person aged at least 60 years old or, if a couple, both will be termed pensioners if one is aged at least 60 years old. This is consistent with both the definition used in Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up publications, and with the fact any individual aged 60 or over is entitled to pension credit.  5. The data source for eligibility estimates is the Family Resources Survey. Estimates of eligibility for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are based on the Family Resources Survey data for 2003-04 and 2004-05, with incomes and benefits projected forward into the future in order to estimate the eligibility for each pensioner household on the survey. They are calibrated to the 2004-05 National Statistics estimates of non-eligibility to pension credit, which adjust 2004-05 Family Resources Survey data to take account of possible biases in reporting.  6. The latest estimates of the take-up of pension credit can be found in the DWP report entitled Pension Credit Estimates of Take-Up in 2004/2005. Copies of the publication are available in the Library.  7. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.  8. Projections of eligibility may be adjusted following publication of future editions of the National Statistics take-up estimates. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of pensioners receiving pension credit in 2003-04 and 2004-05 
			   Numbers receiving (million) 
			 2003-04 2.5 
			 2004-05 2.6 
			  Notes:  1. The numbers receiving in 2003-04 and 2004-05 are derived from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, and relate to the average number of recipients over the period. They are consistent with the figures used to calculate National Statistics estimates of take-up, and so exclude cases in non-private households, and take account of any backdated awards that were paid in respect of 2004-05. Estimates presented here will therefore differ from other published sources.  2. Projected take-up figures are indicative only and not comparable to the published take-up figures for 2003-04 and 2004-05, which include backdated awards of pension credit. Forecasts of future recipients are based on extrapolation of administrative data from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. 3. The latest estimates of the take-up of pension credit can be found in the DWP report entitled Pension Credit Estimates of Take-Up in 2004/2005. Copies of the publication are available in the Library.  4. Estimates relate to private households only.  5. All figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. 
		
	
	Current forecasts suggest that around 2.5 million pensioners may be in receipt of Pension Credit in 2005-06 and around 2.7 million in 2006-07. However, these projections are indicative only and do not include adjustments for backdated awards so are not directly comparable with the take-up estimates for 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Pension Credit

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the take-up rate of pension credit was among pensioners in Newport, East in  (a) 2003-04 and  (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

James Purnell: The information is not available in the format requested. Estimates of eligibility, and therefore of take-up, are not available below the level of Great Britain. Actual figures for receipt of pension credit at constituency level are available.
	The number of households in receipt of pension credit in Newport, East is in the following table.
	
		
			   Household recipients 
			 November 2003 2,570 
			 November 2004 3,380 
			 November 2005 3,540 
			 Notes:  1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10.  2. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.  3. Recipients are those people who claim pension credit either on behalf of themselves only or on behalf of a household. This number is equal to the number of households in receipt of pension credit.   Source:  DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Pension Credit

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents in each electoral ward in Stroud district receive pension credit.

James Purnell: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Pension credit individual beneficiaries for wards in Stroud parliamentary constituency, November 2005 
			  Ward Name  Individual Beneficiaries( 1) 
			 Amberley and Woodchester 60 
			 Berkeley 280 
			 Bisley 70 
			 Cainscross 385 
			 Cam East 235 
			 Cam West 260 
			 Central 85 
			 Chalford 205 
			 Coaley and Uley 70 
			 Dursley 275 
			 Eastington and Standish 125 
			 Farmhill and Paganhill 125 
			 Hardwicke 135 
			 Minchinhampton 220 
			 Nailsworth 295 
			 Over Stroud 60 
			 Painswick 140 
			 Rodborough 130 
			 Severn 205 
			 Slade 100 
			 Stonehouse 500 
			 The Stanleys 235 
			 Thrupp 55 
			 Trinity 90 
			 Uplands 155 
			 Upton St Leonards 70 
			 Vale 70 
			 Valley 105 
			 Wotton-Under-Edge(2) 305 
			 Stroud constituency total 4,720 
			 (1 )The number of individual beneficiaries includes both claimants and their partners.  (2) Only part of Wotton-Under-Edge ward is in Stroud parliamentary constituency.   Notes:  1. Number of individual beneficiaries are rounded to a multiple of 5.  2. Because of 1 and (2,) wards will not always sum to constituency totals.  3. Wards are based on 2003 ward boundaries.   Source:  DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) 100 per cent. data.

Pensions

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his oral statement of 25 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 1648-70, on pensions reform, whether the Department plans to seek to recover pension monies from private companies whose financial dealings were a major contributory factor in the collapse of an occupational pension scheme.

James Purnell: Legislation provides that, when a salary-related occupational pension scheme winds up, any deficiency in the pension fund becomes a debt on the employer. This is designed to improve the protection offered to scheme members when these events occur. It provides a mechanism for the trustees to be able to take action to pursue the debt. It also means that employers will be liable for a debt should the scheme be underfunded. The legislation is not intended to prejudice any other remedy the trustees may have in respect of any deficiency in the scheme's assets.
	The Government believe that solvent employers should ensure that there are sufficient funds in schemes which are winding up to meet the full costs of the rights accrued by scheme members. Regulations came into force on 15 March 2004 that introduce a full buy-out requirement to ensure that where a scheme is wound up and its sponsoring employer is solvent, the scheme members are more likely to receive the pensions they expect. Trustees can utilise the regulations if their scheme started to wind up on or after 11 June 2003. From 15 February 2005, regulations introduced a full buy-out requirement for schemes whose sponsoring employer became insolvent.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the total cost of full compensation for those covered by the recommendations in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report Trusting the pensions promise.

James Purnell: The estimated cost of full compensation for those covered by the Ombudsman's report was published in the Government's response to that report, laid before Parliament on Tuesday 6 June. This document may be found in the Library.

Pensions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of private sector employees with final salary pension schemes in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2005.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available for 1997 and 2005. The following table shows the estimated number of private sector employees who are members of defined-benefit pension schemes since 1991:
	
		
			   Number of active members of defined-benefit schemes, (million) 
			 1991 5.6 
			 1995 5.1 
			 2000 4.6 
			 2004 3.6 
			  Notes:  1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Government Actuary's Department Occupational Pension Scheme Survey, years 2004, 2000, 1995 and 1991. 2004 is the latest year for which data are available. The coverage of the survey is the UK.  2. Defined-benefit schemes are schemes where all the benefits (other than benefits secured by additional voluntary contributions) are on a defined-benefit basis. Such benefits are most commonly based on factors such as earnings or length of service. The survey does not separately identify final salary schemes, which are a type of defined-benefit scheme  3. Estimates include both open and closed schemes.  4. Private sector schemes are those schemes which are not classified as public sector by the Pension Regulator.   Source:  Government Actuary's Department, Occupational Pension Schemes Survey

Personal Capability Assessment

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the revised Personal Capability Assessment for incapacity benefit will apply to existing claimants who are subject to an ad hoc case check as referred to on page 48 of the Green Paper, A New Deal for Welfare.

Jim Murphy: The consultation exercise on the Green Paper ended on 21 April and we will be announcing our proposals shortly.

Post Office Card Accounts

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what occasions  (a) officials from his Department and its agencies and  (b) persons acting on their behalf have undertaken cold-calling exercises to members of the public (i) asking for their bank details, (ii) encouraging them to switch their Post Office card account to a bank account and (iii) discouraging them from having a Post Office card account; how many members of the public were called for each purpose; and who authorised the making of such calls.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions ran a number of small-scale Post Office card account pilots between 13 February and 10 March 2006. The pilots tested various approaches to moving people from having their benefit or pension paid into a Post Office card account to payments into a bank account.
	The pilots were authorised by Ministers. I informed the House of the pilots in a written answer on 15 February 2006,  Official Report, column 2187W. They were fully in keeping with the contract between my Department and Post Office Limited which states: The POCA is intended to be an interim step for Account Holders who will be encouraged by both parties to migrate to Bank Accounts which provide services and opportunities not available through the POCA. I have also placed a copy of the relevant part of the contract in the Library.
	The pilots involved:
	not promoting the option to open a new Post Office card account for around 3,000 customers making a new claim for jobseeker's allowance, state pension or pension credit;
	writing to around 25,000 customers paid by Post Office card account asking them to supply account details. This pilot involved some follow-up telephone calls to check if customers had received their letter and to see if they had any questions or needed help or support to open a new account; and
	writing to around 1,500 customers who have one benefit paid into a Post Office card account and another into a bank account saying that we intended to pay both their benefits into their bank account.
	A month or so after the pilots had finished we re-contacted around 350 people across the three pilot groups to learn more about their experience.
	We have just finished evaluating the results and have shared the results with Post Office Limited. I will place a summary report of the findings in the Library shortly.

Prison Release

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action his Department is taking to improve the job prospects of those recently released from prison.

Jim Murphy: We offer support to offenders in a number of ways to improve their job prospects. Employment and benefit surgeries in prisons provide prisoners with interviews with Jobcentre Plus advisers prior to release to discuss employment and training opportunities. Our Freshstart programme guarantees a pre-arranged interview for prisoners who wish to claim Jobseeker's Allowance as soon as possible on release at which jobs, training and benefits are discussed.
	Offenders, together with others facing the most severe disadvantage in the labour market, are included in one of the priority groups within the Jobcentre Plus target and performance structure. This ensures our advisers are encouraged to provide particular help and support to people who have additional barriers to work. Because of their disadvantage in the labour market, offenders can also gain early entry into our new deal programme, which can provide them with the training and skills needed to get a job.
	Our progress2work LinkUP programme is designed to help those with multiple disadvantage, including offenders and ex-offenders, overcome the particular employment barriers they face. Jobcentre Plus advisers and other relevant agencies refer customers to specialist providers who work with prisons and local probation services to encourage offenders to make use of their services. The programme helps people get and sustain employment and is currently available in 15 Jobcentre Plus districts. We expect provision to be available in a further six districts by the end of the summer.
	In partnership with the Home Office and the Department for Education and Skills, the December 2005 Green Paper, 'Reducing Re-offending Through Skills and Employment', announced proposals for further work. For example, working with local employers to help offenders into jobs, and supporting Jobcentre Plus to focus on helping offenders into work rather then placing them on benefits.

Shared Care Orders

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many parents in England are under a shared care order;
	(2)  how many parents under a shared care order are required to pay maintenance.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 13 June 2006
	This information is not available. However in March 2006 around one in five cases with a calculation on the new child support scheme report that there is shared care of a child (of at least one night a week).

Social Fund

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many telephone calls have been  (a) answered and  (b) missed by the new telephone hotline service for social fund loans in the south-west since its inception; how urgent inquiries are dealt with; and why the service is not free to the user.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to my hon. Friend.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how many telephone calls have been (a) answered and (b) missed by the new telephone hotline service for Social Fund in the South West since its inception; how urgent enquiries are dealt with and why the service is not free to the user.
	Jobcentre Plus in the South West Region do not currently operate a hotline for the Social Fund. The South West region is planning to centralise Social Fund processing in Bristol. Some limited centralisation has already taken place, including moving the processing of Social Fund claims from customers living in Gloucestershire to Bristol.
	Customers living in Gloucestershire who want to apply in person for a payment from the Social Fund normally approach their local Jobcentre office in the first instance. Staff at the Jobcentre will then telephone the Social Fund team in South Bristol. There are 10 extensions available for Jobcentre Plus staff to call, however if staff have problems getting through the customer may be given the direct telephone number to try again later.
	Although direct calls to these numbers by customers is not free there are plans to introduce 0800 and 0845 numbers in 2007 as part of the centralisation of Social Fund work.
	If customers wish to apply for a Crisis Loan for living expenses from the Social Fund they can do this in person at their local office by completing an application form, a decision is usually made on the same day.
	I hope this is helpful.

Women Pensioners

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Coventry, South he estimates will be entitled to a full basic state pension by 2025.

James Purnell: The information is not available in the format requested. However, under our proposals, we estimate that almost 5.5 million women in Great Britain will be entitled to a full basic state pension by 2025.

Worklessness (Liverpool)

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for addressing worklessness in Liverpool, Riverside.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 5 June 2006
	Since 1997, claimant unemployment in Liverpool Riverside has fallen by 38 per cent. the number of lone parents on benefit has fallen by 24 per cent and the number of incapacity benefits recipients has begun to fall. The New Deal has helped nearly 5,000 into work. However we recognise that there is more to do, in Liverpool Riverside and the country as a whole.
	Our recently published Green Paper 'A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work' sets out our Cities Strategy proposals for piloting new initiatives to help local organisations work together to improve economic regeneration through skills, employment and health. From 2007, the 'Cities' pathfinders will be charged with increasing employment and reducing social exclusion in our most deprived communities. Each area will be asked to develop a consortium with a shared interest in working together to raise employment rates and improve the economy. This may include local authorities, employers, learning and skills councils, regional development agencies, primary care trusts and Jobcentre Plus. The key aim of this initiative will be to provide solutions that offer the maximum degree of flexibility, so that local areas can provide local solutions to local problems.
	This approach will provide a real focus for local efforts to help people move back into work, so that the current patchwork of programmes and support, provided by a number of organisations can be delivered in a more integrated, individually-focused and locally responsive way.

Youth Unemployment (Hartlepool)

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to reduce youth unemployment in Hartlepool constituency.

Jim Murphy: Our welfare to work programmes have been successful in substantially reducing youth unemployment and, since 1997, long-term youth unemployment has been virtually eradicated. In addition, youth claimant unemployment is close to its lowest level for 30 years. In Hartlepool, youth unemployment has been cut by 32 per cent. since 1997 and long-term youth unemployment by 75 per cent.
	Our New Deal for Young People programme continues to contribute to this success, having already helped more than 666,000 young people into work, including 2,320 in Hartlepool, 84 per cent. of whom have gained sustained employment.